Few people have spent time gazing into a sheep’s eyes, but if you have, you may have noticed something very strange about their pupils. Instead of being round, as is… Read More
By Sharon Parry 3 mins ago
Sharon Parry
Follow me on:
Dr Sharon Parry is a writer at A-Z animals where her primary focus is on dogs, animal behavior, and research. Sharon holds a PhD from Leeds University, UK which she earned in 1998 and has been working as a science writer for the last 15 years.
A resident of Wales, UK, Sharon loves taking care of her spaniel named Dexter and hiking around coastlines and mountains.
We’ve all been there. You're in jammies and ready for bed, and it’s pouring down rain outside when you discover you’ve run out of cat food. Surely, it can’t hurt… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 days ago
Beavers are associated with activity and environmental engineering. If you are “as busy as a beaver,” you are getting things done. These aquatic rodents spend most of their time in… Read More
By Sharon Parry 2 weeks ago
Flamingoes are fairly large birds with a curvy neck and long legs, and they're famous for their pink color and how they stand on one leg. There are five different… Read More
By Sharon Parry 3 weeks ago
While the cats in the above video look as if they are kneading biscuits, they are actually displaying a common feline behavior called kneading. Lots of cats do it, and… Read More
By Sharon Parry 3 weeks ago
Horses may not be able to speak but they are excellent communicators. Without saying a word they can show you how they are feeling and whether their needs are being… Read More
By Sharon Parry 4 weeks ago
Living organisms need an energy source, water, and a reasonably stable environment in order to survive. Most lifeforms are very particular about where they live and have limited ranges, but a… Read More
By Sharon Parry 4 weeks ago
Finding a mate is a priority for any creature that relies on sexual reproduction to produce offspring. The next step is to get that potential mate to notice you and… Read More
By Sharon Parry 1 month ago
The defense mechanisms animals use to evade or fight off predators can be both bizarre and fascinating. Some use camouflage or mimicry, while others have protective armor. Sea cucumbers, however,… Read More
By Sharon Parry 1 month ago
Affectionately known as ‘Chessies’ this breed is a homegrown American dog, well-known for their tireless energy and sometimes serious nature. Their distinctive coat is oily to the touch thanks to… Read More
By Sharon Parry 2 months ago
Being a celebrity can be tough. All of the adulation and constant media attention can take its toll. It's not surprising that some celebrities take solace in the company of… Read More
By Sharon Parry 2 months ago
This is probably one of the most mortifying things that your dog can do when you have guests over for dinner. So, why do dogs drag their butts? Surely, they… Read More
By Sharon Parry 3 months ago
There’s something very special about a horse movie. These majestic animals are perfect for the big screen and you don’t have to be a horse lover to appreciate their elegance… Read More
By Sharon Parry 4 months ago
We all think our dogs are the best-looking fur babies on the planet. But the truth is that there are some pretty strange dogs out there! For some humans, the… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
Why do dogs eat cat poop? It must be up there with the grossest thing your pooch does, right? Yet, nearly all dogs have done it at some point. And… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
There is one downside to owning a dog that none of us like to talk about or even think about. However, the sad fact is that we will, at some… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
Whilst scooping poop may not be the most glamorous aspect of owning a dog, it is one of the most essential. Dogs take a poop several times a day and… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
Fleas are one of the most common and annoying issues that affect domestic dogs. But how do dogs get fleas and what can you do to prevent it? Fleas are… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
No matter how much we love our dogs, there are going to be times when we need to leave them alone. Then, we face the dilemma of what to do… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
It’s one of the most heart-warming moments a dog owner can experience – you’re your dog smiles at you. Yet, the dog smile is a hotly debated subject. Some owners… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
Have you noticed that your dog is scratching like crazy and patches of their fur are coming out! There are several possible explanations for this but the one that sounds… Read More
By Sharon Parry 5 months ago
Tarantulas are large arachnids that terrify some people, while others like to keep them as pets. They are most common in areas such as Mexico, Australia, Southern Asia, and Africa.… Read More
By Sharon Parry 6 months ago
Has your dog just been prescribed Clavacillin by your vet? This is an antibiotic medication used to treat infections in both dogs and cats. As is the case with all… Read More
By Sharon Parry 6 months ago
English pointers, otherwise known simply as pointers, are often thought of as the ultimate sporting dog. They combine power with grace and carry themselves with regal poise! They also make… Read More
By Sharon Parry 6 months ago
Norwegian Elkhounds are members of the American Kennel Club Hound Group of dog breeds. They are also one of the ‘spitz’ type of dogs which means that they have pricked… Read More
By Sharon Parry 6 months ago
The Krispy Kreme store in Muldoon, Alaska was the victim of a daring robbery last year. The store manager was alerted by a call but she couldn’t quite believe what… Read More
By Sharon Parry 6 months ago
The alligator gar are fearsome fish in terms of size and appearance. Their scientific name is Atractosteus spatula and they are among the largest freshwater fish on the planet. They… Read More
By Sharon Parry 6 months ago
It’s not really surprising that dogs get smelly feet! After all, they are attracted to what we consider disgusting smells and like to roll around in them. They spend a… Read More
By Sharon Parry 7 months ago
Food aggression in cats is a fairly common and specific type of cat behavior that is probably related to anxiety. The aggression can be directed toward other cats, other pets,… Read More
By Sharon Parry 7 months ago
Quick Answer: It happens because a section of the erectile tissue at the base of the male dog’s penis called the bulbus glandis gets very engorged with blood. The bulbus… Read More
By Sharon Parry 7 months ago
Doberman Pinschers are one of the most highly valued protection breeds on the planet. They were developed in Germany during the late 1800s and can be a variety of colors… Read More
By Sharon Parry 7 months ago
Choosing a name is one of the most exciting aspects of getting a new pet. Whether you are having a dog or cat to come and live with you or… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 months ago
In general, it is not a great idea to keep a monkey as a pet as they require very specialist care and expertise. However, that does not stop us from… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 months ago
It is very common for dog owners to worry about what they are feeding their dogs. This situation is not helped by the amount of conflicting information online and in… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 months ago
Humans and dogs have shared their lives for thousands of years so it is not surprising that our canine friends have made their way into our sayings, phrases, and idioms.… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 months ago
Some of our cutest dog breeds have the stumpiest legs! But what these pooches lack in stature they more than make up for in character. Many were historically working dogs… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 months ago
Even when you think you are alone, you are not! Less than half of the cells of your body are human with the rest being made up of tiny creatures… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 months ago
Humans have been preparing food since the Stone Age. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors took a break from simply grabbing nuts and berries from trees and began heating meat and vegetables. That… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 months ago
Humans have been controlling fire for at least 400,000 years and probably for a lot longer. Our earliest ancestors learned how to use it for cooking, hunting, and making things.… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
When you think of speedy sea creatures, the sailfish or the marlin may come to mind but not a whale! These mammalian giants of the oceans are not often considered… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
The Komondor is a breed that everyone can’t take their eyes off. Their unique appearance makes them the talking point in any situation. Yet, there is a lot more to… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
There were a few more passengers than expected on a plane flying out of Miami International Airport last month (April 2024). In a social media post shared by Transportation Security… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have joined together in an exciting new initiative. They aim to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades of… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
Yet another huge Burmese python has been captured in Florida. Local news outlets have shared images of the 176.6-pound snake held up by no fewer than five people! It is… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
There are more than 5,000 species of dragonfly worldwide and they vary in size and color. The largest dragonfly is over five inches in length! Their lifecycle requires them to… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
One minute you are picking up a sock from the floor and the next you find yourself participating in an intense game of tug that you had not planned! This… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
Chocolate and dogs have got to be two of life's greatest pleasures, right? So, when you are looking for a name for your new pup, the chocolate industry has a… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
Butterflies are associated with warm sunny days and beautiful gardens. With their brightly colored wings and slender bodies, they are one of the most enchanting members of the insect world.… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
More than 3,700 species of spiders make their home in the United States. Even people who do not like spiders have to accept that there will be some in their… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
Pigeons may seem like harmless birds but when they gather in numbers on and around your property, that can be a problem. Some people even call them the 'rats of… Read More
By Sharon Parry 9 months ago
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure.
A-Z-Animals.com is Copyright © 2008 - 2025 A-Z Animals