Kellianne Matthews
Author for A-Z Animals

Snakes have many different associations for many different people. The biblical story of a cunning serpent who tricked Eve in the Garden of Eden has inspired centuries of allegories and… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 15 hours ago

The natural world is full of fascinating plants and animals covered in dazzling colors and astonishing designs, especially when it comes to snakes. Many desert snakes have neutral, sandy colors,… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 5 days ago

Milk snakes are beautiful and brightly colored, with a look that is both exotic and dangerous. However, these snakes are not dangerous at all. In fact, they are nonvenomous and… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 weeks ago

There are nearly 50 different species and subspecies of snakes living in Missouri! That many snakes living in one place may sound frightening, but snakes are actually one of the… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 weeks ago

“The Great Lakes State” of Michigan is home to a variety of beautiful and interesting snake species. Snakes in Michigan are vital to keeping the ecosystems in balance, taking on… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 weeks ago

North Dakota is one of the least populous states in the United States, with a large regions of natural wildlife areas. There are also many animals in North Dakota, from… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 3 weeks ago

Snakes are fascinating and often misunderstood animals. These legless creatures live just about everywhere in the world—some snakes even live in the ocean! The only places where there are no… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 3 weeks ago

Montana has many nicknames that describe the state’s natural beauty, like “Big Sky Country”, the “Treasure State”, and the “Land of the Shining Mountains”.  Visitors from all over the world… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 3 weeks ago

There are a lot of snakes in Mississippi—over 50 different species! In the southern regions of Mississippi, you can see snakes all year long. In the northern regions, on the… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 3 weeks ago

The fox snake is a type of rat snake found in North America. This snake’s common name has two possible origins. First, one of its scientific names, vulpinus, means “fox-like”.… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 4 weeks ago

“SHARKCANO”—the first ever shark-volcano in the world! Sure, it may sound like a cheesy sci-fi movie, but believe it or not, this thing is real. Yes, there are actual, real-life… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 4 weeks ago

The sidewinder rattlesnake is uniquely adapted to live in the hot and dry deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like all snakes, sidewinders are cold-blooded and use… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 4 weeks ago

There are over 40 different species of snakes in Kansas, which means there’s a good chance you might encounter one if you like spending time outside. The most common snakes… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 4 weeks ago

The Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) is one of the few snake species to make it to Hollywood. When a film includes a venomous coral snake, the scarlet kingsnake boldly steps… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 4 weeks ago

Pure white is not a common color in the natural world, especially when it comes to snakes. Although unusual, there are some snakes with white colors and patterns. Many all-white… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 4 weeks ago

Typically, we think of water as being clear and without any color. However, Mother Nature always has a few extra tricks up her sleeve. It turns out that water can… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 4 weeks ago

Corn snakes are colorful snakes native to the southeastern United States. These snakes are a North American species of rat snake. In some areas people call them “red rat snakes”… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

Like many different types of sharks, Lemon Sharks are large and intimidating. Lemon sharks are large, powerful predators, with rows of extremely sharp teeth. There are not many animals that… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a formidable predator with a large and powerful body. In fact, it is one of the largest rattlesnake species, and one of the heaviest venomous… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

The Mud Snake is a boldly colored nonvenomous snake endemic to the southeastern United States. These eye-catching snakes are secretive and rarely seen, digging deep burrows through the mud in… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

The Eastern indigo snake is one of the most incredible and beautiful snakes in the United States, with rows of lustrous black scales that shine iridescent in the sunlight. Not… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

Snakes are not generally the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of New York. Instead, they usually think of “The Big Apple,” skyscrapers, congested traffic, and… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

What is the largest flying snake in the world? That's right, there really are snakes that can fly—or at least, they can glide impressively through the air. The Chrysopelea genus… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

Yellow is the brightest color in the rainbow, and there are many snakes around the world that sport this beautifully brilliant color. Some snakes are solid yellow, while others have… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

If you struggle with arachnophobia, coming across a cane spider in Hawaii might turn your tropical vacation into a nightmare. However, despite their large size, extraordinary hunting skills, and speed,… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

Key Points: The blue-lipped sea krait is a sea snake with colorful stripes of bright blue and black. Its bite is very toxic, but it's a non-aggressive snake that usually… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

Illinois has a wide range of diverse wildlife, including 38 different species of snakes. Unfortunately, 11 of these snake species are threatened or endangered in Illinois, primarily due to habitat… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

Pablo Escobar, one of the most notorious and richest criminals in history, left behind a very complicated legacy after his death. He was responsible for nearly 4,000 deaths and a… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

The hot and humid climate of Florida, combined with its thick and lush vegetation, make this state a paradise for snakes. Florida is home to 46 different species of snakes,… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

The color red can be both astoundingly beautiful as well as daring and dangerous. An animal with red coloring is often a warning to stay away. Some animals use red… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 1 month ago

Sharks are saltwater predators that live in the ocean. However, it turns out that a unique shark species, the bull shark, tends to swim outside the box—and right into the… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

As the light fades and dusk approaches outside the Kantemó Cave in Mexico, its inhabitants begin to stir. When darkness finally falls, hundreds of thousands of bats swarm through the… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

The Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of the greatest prehistoric terrors. It is so frightening and violent that it has become a fixed icon in the social imaginary. It has even… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

Key Points: The Entelodont, the largest prehistoric pig to inhabit North America in the Eocene Period, could grow up to the size of a Clydesdale horse, with a weight up… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

Key Points: The "American Hippo Bill" of 1910 would've introduced hippopotamuses into the Mississippi River. The bill was to be a solution to two problems: a meat shortage and controlling… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

What are the deepest caves in the world? Well, as experienced cavers and speleologists (scientists who study caves) continue to explore each year, they discover new cave passages that often… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

For many people, snakes are frightening enough on land, but what about a snake swimming in the water? Better yet, how about hundreds of snakes on the prowl, swimming through… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

The uncharted depths of the ocean have always sparked curiosity in the human imagination—what really lives so far below the surface? What strange creatures can exist in such a cold,… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

Washington is not a state known for its abundant snake population, even though it is home to more than 11 species of snakes. Snakes in Washington are generally shy and… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

Alabama is a relatively warm state, providing an exceptional home for at least 43 species of snakes. With so many snakes, it is understandable why many people may fear or… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 months ago

Key Points Out of the 30 species of snake in Nebraska, 3 are rattlesnakes. All rattlesnakes are venomous but mostly strike if threatened or attacked. The different species of rattlesnake… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 3 months ago