Rick Chillot
Author for A-Z Animals

As the birthplace of the United States, where the founding fathers met, debated, and developed a new country, the city of Philadelphia is filled with history. So it’s no surprised… Read More

By Rick Chillot 4 months ago

Try to name flowers that start with V, and the first thing you come up with, probably, will be "violet." But the list also includes flowers that are violet in… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

If you’re wondering how to get rid of a hornet’s nest, chances are it’s not just idle curiosity that’s motivating you. Maybe you’ve been noticing an unusual number of stinger-equipped… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

When we talk about understanding an ion, we’re talking about an atom or a molecule. So in that sense, it’s a very small thing. But in terms of the roles… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

There are a lot of bacteria out there. As in, a lot a lot. There may be more than 5 nonillion (that's 1030) bacteria on Earth. A single milliliter of… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Tomatoes again? Lettuce and other greens, ho-hum. Zucchini, summer squash, even watermelon…so basic. If you’re a backyard gardener who’s looking to try something different and delicious, growing broccolini could become… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Is there a garden flower more cheerful and friendly than a daisy? These flowers have been favorites for so long that their name dates back to Old English, c.e. 1300:… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

It’s a scenario many cat owners will be familiar with: You’re minding your own business, having something to eat. Suddenly your feline friend turns up, sniffing the air and curious… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Sandstone and limestone are common types of rock. But their key differences include what they're composed of, how they're formed, their physical properties, how they're used, and where they're found.… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

One way to make sure you’re eating healthy is to include a variety of different-colored fruits and vegetables in your menu. That’s because the natural chemical compounds which give vegetables… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

What do you like to do in the summertime? Go camping? Hit the beach? Indulge in some mouthwatering barbecue, or explore the wilderness in a kayak? You can do all… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Ever been swimming in the ocean, and found yourself wondering if any sharks are close by? Are news reports of shark bites at certain beaches triggering your fin-phobia?  Well, you… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Architecture, art, history, and spirituality. As buildings, churches offer a unique combination of features to inspire visitors and worshipers alike. In Florida, Christianity (and its churches) played a role from… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Is there anything that says “summer” like fresh watermelon? This sweet, familiar, iconic fruit is a member of the cucumber family, making it a relative of squashes, gourds, pumpkins, and… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

To ask “Why does my cat loaf?” is to swing the bat of inquiry at one of nature’s most enigmatic pitches. Cats are mysterious creatures. The domesticated cat has been… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Someone ought to write a musical about insects in Texas. Opening number: The bugs and mites They sure do bite clap*clap*clap*clap* Deep in the heart of Texas... Thanks to its… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

In May of 2023, onlookers spotted two alligators near the St. Marys River in Auglaize County, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Agriculture tried to capture them but failed. One of… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Exploring the reproductive behavior of fish is a good way to sample the diversity and versatility of these aquatic vertebrates. The class of vertebrates that we call "fish" include over… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Aircraft that fly faster than Mach 1 need a specialized design to handle the turbulence. If you were to ask someone who was passing you by at Mach 1 how… Read More

By Rick Chillot 5 months ago

Ready for a road trip? And we do mean trip, because we’re about to travel the longest roads in the United States, crisscrossing the continent from coast to coast and… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Oklahoma, also called the Sooner State, is a great state for wildlife. It’s home to flying squirrels, black bears, and bald eagles. American bison, the continent’s largest land mammal, roam… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Even a short list of amazing birds that start with E reveals how astonishingly adaptable and diverse these animals are. We so often see birds in our everyday lives that… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

It's not easy to define how deep the Arkansas River is. At 1,460 miles long, the Arkansas River is the 6th largest river in the United States. It’s also the… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Q: Where do eagles nest? A: Wherever they want! Okay, that’s a joke. But eagles are among the largest predatory birds on earth. So one might expect them to have… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Key Points: The East Side Railroad Tunnel stretches on for nearly 5080 feet, almost a mile long. The tunnel is 22 feet high and 31 feet wide, providing plenty of… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Before we discuss the most aggressive sharks in U.S. waters, it's worth considering why every conversation about sharks seems to dwell on how to keep these fascinating fish from biting… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Louisiana has been hit with 63 hurricanes since 1822, second only to Florida and Texas. How did the most powerful hurricanes to hit Louisiana end up there in the first… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

The most popular dog breeds with curly tails have one thing in common: cuteness! But a dog’s tail is more than just an ornament, whether it’s curled into a cute… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Key Points: The Robertson Tunnel is the longest transportation tunnel in Oregon Deepest transit station in the Western hemisphere and the seventh-deepest in the world (Washington Station is 260 feet… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

The 1955 animated film Lady and the Tramp features one of the most famous rom-com scenes of all time. Two characters from different worlds, thrown together by circumstance, find themselves… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Real talk: even the friendliest snake in North America isn’t going to come slithering when you call its name or do figure eights around your legs like a cat (they’d… Read More

By Rick Chillot 6 months ago

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pregnancy: Summary The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a little dog with lots of love to give. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have been favored breeds of… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

White Pigeons often represent the following spiritual meanings: peace, divine, love, and fertility. Before we can explore the significance of sighting a white pigeon, we first have to be clear… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Having more venomous snakes isn’t exactly something to brag about. But at the very least it makes for interesting cocktail party conversation (there’s always plenty of snake-talk at those things).… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Here are the top six smells that coyotes just don't like! Coyotes are wily. But if you know the smells that coyotes hate, you have a good chance of keeping… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Sighting a yellow butterfly might be a mundane occurrence in an ordinary day. Or it could be an event that holds special spiritual or symbolic meaning for you. It’s really… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

If there’s a cat in your life, you’ve probably caught yourself staring into those big, beautiful feline eyes. A cat's eyes are among its most glorious features. Read on to… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Sassafras Mountain is not only the tallest peak in the state of South Carolina, its position allows you to view four U.S. states: Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia as well… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

The snakes residing in Grand Canyon National Park shouldn’t dissuade you from visiting this 1,218,375-acre wonder. From the awe-inspiring views at the rim of the canyon to the turbulent Colorado… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

These five lakes offer the best fishing in New Hampshire. With 975 lakes and ponds inside its borders, the state of New Hampshire packs plenty of fishing opportunities into its… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Key Points: Seven million people visit the Hoover Dam each year because it is the highest concrete arch dam in America, and it created the enormous Lake Mead. The dam… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

A long-lived fish, the Atlantic striped bass (Morone saxatilis) can live for up to thirty years. Provided, of course, they don’t end up on the business end of a fisherman’s… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Nevada has identified 275 bridges that need repair, at an estimated cost of $763.1 million. One out of every three U.S. bridges is structurally deficient, according to a 2023 report… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Seeing a crow has many different meanings. If you’ve ever wondered about the meanings and signs of seeing a crow, you’re not the only one. Certainly seeing a crow isn’t… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago

Before examining the fastest-growing counties in Michigan, let's have some context. A look at U.S. census data shows that the state of Michigan has had a fairly flat population curve… Read More

By Rick Chillot 7 months ago