Indiana is home to almost half of North America's total of 20 species of owls. Some of these owls can be found in great numbers throughout the year and for… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 16 hours ago
Sofia is a lover of all things nature, and has completed a B.S. in Botany at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Professionally, interests include everything plant and animal related, with a penchant for writing and bringing science topics to a wider audience. On the off-occasion she is not writing or playing with her cats or crested gecko, she can be found outside pointing out native and invasive plants while playing Pokemon Go.
Indiana is home to almost half of North America's total of 20 species of owls. Some of these owls can be found in great numbers throughout the year and for… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 16 hours ago
Communication is necessary for all animal species, though it might not look familiar in every type of animal. For mammals and other land-dwelling animals, body language and sounds are important… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 7 days ago
Lions are one of the most ferocious mammalian predators on land. Their large size, speed, and gymnast-like agility make them a force to be reckoned with in the wild. Not… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 7 days ago
Minnesotans are fortunate to experience a variety of over 200 species of birds all throughout the year. Many of these birds brave the cold winter months in Minnesota to later… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 week ago
Cats of all sizes are known for their stealth, agility, and speed. We all know cheetahs take the cake when it comes to their record-breaking speed. But what about leopards?… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 weeks ago
Growing any type of fruit or vegetable in your own garden can be immensely satisfying, but what if you grew a record-breaking fruit? By choosing the right variety and taking… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 weeks ago
Reef aquariums can quickly lose their appeal once algae have started to take hold of the aquatic landscape. Here are some of the more common forms of algae you might… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 weeks ago
Mosquitos are universally detested. Even the staunchest bug-lover might find themselves swatting the nuisance creature away without a second thought. Not only are they annoying, but mosquitos readily transmit diseases… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 weeks ago
Earth is made up of mostly eight elements in various abundance. These elements make up the ground we stand on, the mountain terrain, and the inner layers of the planet.… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 weeks ago
Winter doesn't have to be the bare-branch season that comes to mind. Quite a few winter-blooming shrubs boast magnificent flowers sure to cure anyone's winter blues. Consider adding these to… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 weeks ago
Tall growing houseplants are a stunning addition to place in any room in your home. The touch of green and the natural shapes of the foliage can help create a… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 weeks ago
The natural world is extremely cutthroat; it's surprising there are any animals out there with no natural predators. Humans are one of them. Though without our intelligence, we are no… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 weeks ago
We all know humans cannot go without water for longer than three days, but how long can snakes go without water? As it turns out, there is not a universal… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 weeks ago
The Scoville scale is made to measure the heat of peppers. Since wasabi is a root of the wasabi plant, it doesn't technically place on the Scoville scale. However, there… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 4 weeks ago
Betta fish are common aquarium pets and command instant attention thanks to their beauty. Their bright, full range of colors and different fin and tail shapes make them a favorite… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 4 weeks ago
Wisconsin is home to many species of North American owls, from those passing by for the winter to those who make the state their home all year. Some owl species… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 4 weeks ago
Tigers are known for their majesty and strength. These big cats rightfully strike fear into the hearts of animals and humans that might encounter them. When it comes to comparing… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 4 weeks ago
North Carolina is a perfect southeastern state in which to experience the best of all seasons. This might be one main reason many different species of birds call this location… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 4 weeks ago
Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) are one of the most popular houseplants. They're relatively easy to care for and are attractive in any space. The first step to growing a… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Hummingbirds are dainty little birds that catch the adoration of anyone lucky enough to gaze upon their beauty. But did you know they're quite the predator? Hummingbirds don't survive on… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Venus flytraps (Dionea muscipula) and other carnivorous plants do not follow traditional plant "rules." Once you move away from conventional plant care, you'll be able to keep these peculiar plants… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
You have heard of famous peaks like Mount Fuji and the Himalayas. But what about one of America's own impressive but lesser-known peaks? Grizzly Peak is an astonishing summit found… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Ribbon worms, or "proboscis worms," are in the phylum Nemertea. Most species in this phylum live in the water, but a few are terrestrial or parasitic. These are unique creatures… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
The United States is a young country, but it certainly has a dark past. Many places in the U.S. have a rich history worthy of revisiting for reasons other than… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
The immortal jellyfish is not hiding anything behind this larger-than-life name. This invertebrate has the ability to essentially live forever. Unfortunately, since predation is highly possible, there isn't really an… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
There are approximately 35 species of garter snakes living in the United States. Amongst these species, there are multiple defining features and ways to tell them apart. However, for the… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Distinguishing between birds with orange chests and bellies can be challenging when they're so abundant in nature. The quick and somewhat erratic temperament of birds can make identification difficult on… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Behind every attractive garden is a gardener trying their best to keep pests away. Pests don't always mean bugs; in a lot of cases, deer can be just as destructive… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Snake anatomy looks pretty different to the anatomy of animals we’re most used to seeing. Essentially, a snake is one long tube packed full of essential organs like lungs, a… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
You might think you know what a black widow spider looks like, but do you know for sure? There are a few lookalikes that can be a relief if you… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
California is home to beautiful beaches, snowy mountains, and everything in between. For aquarium lovers, one of the best things to see in this magnificent state is the Aquarium of… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Nova Scotia is home to many great oceanic predators. It is also where one of the largest great whites ever recorded was found. Great white sharks are one of the… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Philodendrons come in many different varieties, though most have the same general requirements to remain healthy. Philodendron Xanadu (Thaumatophyllum xanadu 'Winterbourn') is a shrubby plant that grows as tall as it… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Sea lions are found mostly in coastal areas where the weather is agreeable most of the year. The six species of sea lions that exist differ from similar animals like… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Choosing the best tank mates for your flowerhorn cichlid can be a daunting endeavor. Cichlids are notorious for being aggressive and territorial fish, with the flowerhorn hybrid being no exception.… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 month ago
Australia is known for its beautiful landscapes as much as it's known for its deadly animals. Victoria is no exception. Located in southeastern Australia, Victoria has both mountains and coasts,… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
They say everything is bigger in Texas, but Floridians would like to challenge that phrase when it comes to alligators. Alligators are reptiles that reside mostly in the southeastern United… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
Shrimp are great additions to any aquarium to help keep a tank clean and also add some visual flair. They come in many different colors and breeds with varying levels… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
Leash preference is something personal to you and your dog. It has to meet the mark of comfortability, safety, and reliability to be a smart purchase. So, you might find… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
Lake Anna spans multiple counties in Virginia and is a popular fishing spot for both native Virginians and tourists. A rich fishing hole with over 50 years of dedicated angler… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
Velociraptors might conjure up images of large, scaly, voracious creatures. In reality, Velociraptor mongoliensis was a medium to small-sized feathered dinosaur about the size of a turkey. But did Jurassic… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
Crayfish (also referred to as crawdads or crawfish) are freshwater crustaceans related to the lobster. They have many things in common with their larger crustacean relatives, including reproduction and differences… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
Leeches are related to segmented worms in the phylum Annelida, like earthworms. They are frequently found in freshwater like lakes and ponds throughout America and Canada. With a sucker at… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 2 months ago
Monsteras are trendy houseplants that have origins in South American tropical rainforests. Their unique, broad green leaves have captivated hardcore plant enthusiasts and new plant parents alike. To keep them… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 months ago
The heat of the earth's core affects how hot the mantle is and how that can affect temperature changes. Everyone has pondered how hot the inside of the earth is,… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 months ago
It can be overwhelming to try to figure out what is best to plant in front of your house with so many shrub options available. Here we'll provide the best… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 3 months ago