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Two of the most popular evergreen trees planted by home landscapers are the Leyland cypress and the Thuja ‘Green Giant’. In fact, these often get compared because they do have a lot in common. Here are some commonalities between the two: Both are coniferous, evergreen trees in the Cupressaceae familyBoth tolerate a range of soil conditions and can thrive in full sunBoth are hybrid cultivars developed in the 20th centuryBoth grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-8...

The Ohio River is home to several reptilian species including semi-aquatic and terrestrial snakes.These include the copper-bellied water snake, northern water snake, and queen snake.In the event of coming across a snake enjoying an afternoon swim, you should remain still, without threatening it, and the reptile will be likely to swim away. Love or hate them, snakes are definitely one of the more popular animal species, and without a doubt, the Ohio River has its fair share of slithering reptiles....

In Utah, most of the land is controlled by the federal government. But who are Utah’s other largest landowners? This article uncovers Utah’s three largest landowners and other fascinating facts. 1. Federal Government – 33,000,000 Acres The federal government owns more than 33 million acres in Utah, making it the country’s second most federally owned state. The federal government controls 27.1% of all land in the United States, or 615....

Mountain lions have long been extirpated from many states, and only a few states today have a thriving population. This article discusses everything you need to know about mountain lions in Illinois and other interesting facts. Are There Mountain Lions in Illinois? Mountain lion sightings have been reported in Illinois during the past few decades. Each year, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) gets numerous reports about mountain lion sightings....

Are There Any Mountain Lions in New York? Historically, the Eastern Cougar (Puma concolor cougar) called New York State home. They were common in the Catskill Mountains through the 1800s. However, as populations expanded, hunters targeted the mountain lions in the state heavily. The state government even offered a sizable bounty for the magnificent cats. By the 1930s, the Eastern Cougar had officially gotten hunted into extinction. Now the Puma concolor cougar sits on the federal extinct species list....

The background on octopus species Octopuses are invertebrates that live in the ocean. They have large heads, big eyes and eight long arms covered in suckers. These arms are used to catch prey, maneuver around the bottom of the ocean and to propel itself through the water. There are 300 species of octopus, including the common octopus, mimic octopus, blue-ringed sea octopus and the giant Pacific octopus. These are all shallow-water finless octopus, the most common kind....

If an otter has made its way into your life, it may be trying to tell you something. What message can you learn from the otter? Keep reading to discover everything you need about otter spirit animal symbolism and meanings. Otter as a Spirit Animal What does it mean if the otter is your spirit guide? You’re insatiably curious, friendly, and social. You feel most at home when you’re in the company of other people, even if they’re strangers....

When it comes to snakes, displaying your beautiful reptile is one of the best things about it. Snakes come in all sizes and colors, but one of the most uncommon options has to be the pink snake! For anyone truly looking to have a unique snake, finding a pink one may just be the option for you. Today, we are going to explore the different options for pink snakes: the prettiest snakes you can keep as a pet....

While spiders can be frightening, they’re an important part of the ecosystem. Even the venomous spiders (actually known as venomous) are important! As a result, learning to recognize the venomous spiders in Michigan, as well as those that are not, is important for learning how to live peacefully alongside our eight-legged counterparts. Keep reading to learn more about the dangerous and non-venomous spiders of Michigan! Dangerous Spiders in Michigan There are two main species of venomous spiders in Michigan – the black widow and the brown recluse....

As the black bear appears from the woods, an excited individual begins recording the beloved wild animal. Little did they know, Simone was now the mother of two adorable cubs. Although they frequently sprint ahead of the mother, cubs often accompany the mother to feeding locations within the mother’s territory. A lot of their time is spent playing with items, their mother, and other cubs when they are well-fed. The little bears are brave enough to check out this person’s front porch and all of the nooks and crannies around it!...

Rabbits are gentle, loving animals with a lot to teach us about life. If you’ve been feeling lost or out of balance lately, your inner rabbit can help guide you back to your center. The rabbit can also be a powerful ally when you want to start a new chapter in life. Keep reading to learn all about the rabbit spirit animal’s meaning and symbolism. What Is the Meaning of the Rabbit Spirit Animal?...

With how active their mouths are, you might wonder what kind of teeth they have, if they have fangs, and how painful their bites can be. There is so much to learn about the teeth of a rattlesnake, let’s dive in! Do Rattlesnakes Have Teeth? Like all pit viper species, rattlesnakes have solenoglyphous dentition – the presence of teeth coupled with fangs as their venom delivery system. These fangs are short and hollow and sometimes retract into the jaw and flip to stab the prey....

What are Chigoe Fleas? Chigoe fleas (Tunga penetrans) go by many names, including sand fleas and jiggers. They are tiny fleas that burrow under the skin of their hosts, before dying, leaving the host animal open to the possibility of becoming infected with tungiasis. If left untreated, tungiasis can result in gangrene. Chigoe fleas have sharply angled heads, though, otherwise, they look similar to other types of fleas. They thrive in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world....

A video of a group in the jungle in the beloved town showcases the differences between man and beast. The protagonist in this story is a muscular man that we’ll call Tarzan. What you’re about to read and see shows just how deserving he is of this famous title! While walking in the dense forest, this man spots a massive python on the wooded earth floor. Without a second thought, he lifts up the serpent as the cameraman is left speechless by the interaction....

Also known as the Northern Lights, the Aurora borealis is an atmospheric occurrence that is revered as the skywatcher’s Holy Grail. The magnetic field of our planet shields us from the bombardment of energetic solar particles, which may travel up to 45 million miles per hour in the upper atmosphere. As Earth’s magnetic field leads the particles toward the poles, the dramatic process develops into a spectacular atmospheric phenomenon that astonishes and excites both scientists and amateur astronomers....

In the video below, a whale breaches, or swims up to the surface and throws itself out of the water. They land on the bow of a small boat. The boat is anchored and it bobs dramatically as the whale’s body pulls the bow down. After the whale hits the boat, it goes under the surface of the water but comes back up once the whale slips off. Amazingly, the boat does not capsize....

In this article, we will compare and contrast the skip laurel shrub with a cherry laurel shrub so that you can fully understand what makes them both special. We will address what these plants look like as well as what they are typically used for. Finally, we will give you some tips on how to best care for both of these shrubs in case you are interested in planting them in your own backyard....

For zoos, however, the day is one of celebration as it reminds visitors of the importance of the conservation and education work happening there. But how did zoos become homes to animal conservation work as well as a favorite activity for kids and adults of all ages? History of Zoos The first modern zoo was built in 1793 in Paris. However, zoos have been around much longer and were known as menageries....

Still, many of us aren’t aware of how these flags came to be what they are. We know they both display an image of a snake, they have something to do with the colonies, and they’re political. Beyond that, many of us are left scratching our heads. So, what do these flags mean and what are their origins? How are they connected? We’ll find out below. These flags are connected in their history and meaning, so the best way to show those connections is through a narrative....

The ‘Join, or Die’ flag shows a timber rattlesnake, chopped into eight pieces, each piece signifying one of the existing colonies. The snake is dead, and the image implies that the Thirteen Colonies, too, would die if they didn’t unite to face the French and Indian War. Created by Benjamin Franklin, the powerful political cartoon-turned-flag serves as a meaningful and influential image to this day. Franklin’s ‘Join, or Die’ image currently stands in opposition to the Gadsden flag, which reads ‘Don’t Tread On Me....