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Identifying Cottonmouths There are two species of cottonmouth snakes – the northern and the Florida cottonmouth. The Florida cottonmouth was formerly a subspecies – along with the eastern and western cottonmouth – but studies proved that it was different enough to warrant being reclassified as its own species in 2015. That left the other two subspecies to become simply the northern cottonmouth. The Florida cottonmouth is native only to Florida and parts of Georgia, while the northern cottonmouth is fairly widespread across the rest of the southeastern US....

Where Do Coyotes Live? Coyote Dens Coyotes exclusively use dens during pup season; otherwise, they sleep in the open or undercover. Coyote dens can be discovered anywhere that is easily hidden. Dens can be a hollowed-out tree stump, a rock outcrop, or an existing raccoon, skunk, or another medium-sized predator burrow. Coyotes will also excavate their own dens. They prefer a protective cover like plants or trees, and a drainage slope....

In addition to their practical uses, trees serve as important environmental resources by reducing air pollution through photosynthesis, protecting soil from erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife. They are essential components in any healthy ecosystem, so it is indispensable to protect them whenever possible. Planting native species helps ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy! Here are a few of our favorite South Carolina native tree species. Let’s get started!...

1. Belgian Malinois The average weight of a Belgian malinois is between 40 and 50 pounds, but some can weigh up to 80 pounds. They have a short, sleek coat that is devoid of any waves or curls, making them simple to care for. The nature of their coat also prevents shedding. They are a huge breed that shares many features with German shepherds, including their size and general appearance. The fact that their coat is hypoallergenic makes this dog an excellent companion for people who suffer easily from allergies....

These snakes live in a variety of places in the world, with some being located below the equator in places like West and Central Africa or South America, while others can be found in Southeast Asia, the United States, and India. Most all of these fascinating snakes prefer to dwell near water or in dense forests, so they would be rare to encounter unless you were exploring in their remote territories....

Maharajas’ Express, India Cost: $3,385 per night The Maharajas’ Express holds the record for the most expensive train trips in the world. It costs $3,385 to spend a night in this traveling Presidential Suite. The Maharajas’ Express is operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). This exclusive train ride features 23 coaches for just 88 guests. The Maharajas’ Express takes you on a trip through Maharajas’ Express. The coaches are grouped into different categories, including a Presidential Suite, Junior Suite, Deluxe Cabins, and regular suites....

Puppies are known for being mischievous and it’s no different for these two five-month-old pups, Peo and Finn. Curious and adventurous, they ended up exploring a 100-pound tortoise’s den. They would have been able to get out the same way they got in if it weren’t for Oscar, the large desert tortoise deciding to block the entrance. Residents in the area became increasingly concerned because the pups were trapped and had become silent—they couldn’t lure the tortoise out, and so decided they needed to call in the professionals: the local fire crew....

1. Seagull Seagulls are large seabirds with long bills and webbed feet, closely related to terns and skimmers. They feature grey and white feathers with dark markings on their heads and wings. Seagulls are known for being noisy scavengers. This species has a cosmopolitan range, breeding on every continent, including Antarctica. They live along ocean coastlines, bays, and major lakes and nest in sea cliffs and sand dunes. You are most likely to find seagulls on the beach during summer and further inland in winter near farm fields and reservoirs....

Why do birds lay blue eggs? Well, the blue color has biliverdin to thank for that. Biliverdin is a bile pigment that gives birds’ eggs their blue color. The deepness of the blue in the eggshell depends on the concentration of biliverdin. Sometimes the color might range from a greenish-blue, or a paler blue and every color in between. Here are 15 birds that lay blue eggs. 1. Dunnocks Dunnocks are small brown and gray birds with short black streaks on their plumage....

Frogs have moist, porous skin that allows them to breathe and absorb water. Because of the fragility of their skin, they are extremely vulnerable to pathogens and toxins that can be absorbed directly. Scientists believe they are helpful indicators of the planet’s quality and natural world changes. Despite the amazing diversity of these tail-less creatures, many of the species, unfortunately, live in environments that are becoming more and more hostile....

Exacerbating the risk of flash floods is the state’s tendency for wildfires. Areas that have burned recently are more prone to flash floods because the ground does not absorb water as well. Burned soil repels water almost as much as pavement in some cases. So, the water just runs off instead of going into the ground. Highlighted below are 3 terrifying flash floods that took place in Colorado. 1. Colorado’s Deadliest Flash Flood: July 31, 1976 On July 31, 1976, a strong thunderstorm near Estes Park, CO poured down a foot of rain in just six hours....

Choosing the right plant all comes down to where it’ll be sitting, the care it needs, and its purpose. Perennials are non-woody plants that can live for two or more years. Some are evergreen and can survive the winter months; others are herbaceous, dying in the fall. With careful selection, you can use perennials to create borders throughout the seasons. Let’s look at the best perennial flowers for the summer season....

Here, we’ll discover seven species of shark that spend their lives swimming in the coldest waters on Earth. We’ll learn about their life cycles, diets, behaviors, and more. 1. Porbeagle Porbeagles are some of the smaller sharks that live in frigid Arctic waters. They have torpedo-shaped bodies with wide girths, narrow tails, and pointed snouts. Their pectoral fins are longer than their dorsal fins, and they have stiff, upright tails in addition to large eyes....

1. Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) We’ll kick off the list with the longest snake in the state – the bullsnake. Bullsnakes are a subspecies of the gopher snake and are 36 to 72 inches long. They have yellow bodies covered with large black or dark brown blotches. Bullsnakes are abundant across the state’s western region (to the west of the Missouri River), where they can be found in grasslands and woodlands....

While most of the time licking the air is to smell, there are several other reasons they may do it as well. If you’re ready to understand more about what licking the air means for your pup, keep reading! 1. The Flehmen Response We all know how good of nose dogs have, but did you realize that they have a unique olfactory organ called the vomeronasal organ? The sensors of the vomeronasal organ (also known as the Jacobson organ) pick up scents, chemical cues, and pheromones....

Coyotes may be Diurnal or Nocturnal By nature, coyotes are diurnal, but their sleeping pattern or circadian rhythm depends on their environment and location. Coyotes that live near human settlements are nocturnal. This activity pattern is valuable in avoiding contact with humans during the daytime and hunting for food at night. Nighttime is when people hear them howl, causing the misconception that they are nocturnal animals. But coyotes that live further away from humans in more remote areas tend to be diurnal and hunt during the day....

Moles Are Not Nocturnal but Demonstrate Crepuscular Behavior Many people believe that moles are nocturnal, but this is not true. This misconception usually stems from people looking out their windows in the morning and seeing fresh molehills. Instead, moles are active throughout the day as they forage and move through their tunnel systems. But their activity peaks at dusk and dawn, also known as twilight, making them crepuscular animals. Most moles are active between 4 a....

What are Rats? Rats are a common type of rodent that can be found all over the world. While rats are often considered pests due to their tendency to spread disease and damage property, they also play a fascinating and vital role in the balance of ecosystems. For instance, many rat species are known to be active predators of smaller mammals, lizards, and insects. They also help pollinate plants by distributing seeds through their natural burrowing and feeding habits....

What Are Spiders? Spiders are one of the most ubiquitous and fascinating creatures in the animal kingdom. They are air-breathing arthropods with eight legs and chelicerae or mouthparts with fangs that inject venom. If spiders are non-venomous, they may simply inflict a dry bite under duress. They rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms, showing just how incredibly diverse they genuinely are. Spiders can be found worldwide on every continent except Antarctica, living nearly everywhere except in highly saline environments such as oceans and seas....

In the following lines, we’ll showcase the main differences between the muskmelon known as Athena Melon and the cantaloupe. Stay tuned if you want to know more! What Is Athena Melon? When talking about Athena melon, people usually refer to several types of melon. The Athena melon is often regarded as a medium-sized cantaloupe, as well as a cantaloupe hybrid or a muskmelon. The essential bit is that all of the mentioned terms essentially refer to the same plant – cantaloupe....