Contributor

Brennan Keifer

Content Writer · Herpetology, Ornithology, Dendrology

Brennan is a content writer focused on herpetology, ornithology, and dendrology.

He holds a BA in English from Washington College and has contributed with the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Association.

Follows Outforia's editorial standards

12 stories published

Stories by Brennan Keifer

A gray squirrel sits among fallen autumn leaves on the forest floor, holding a nut in its front paws

Wildlife

Deciduous Forest Animals: The Diverse Inhabitants of Seasonal Forests

Deciduous forests of eastern North America host 13+ animal species, from pollinators and hunters to decomposers, each playing vital ecological roles.

A coyote stands on a sagebrush slope patched with snow, its head tipped back mid-howl in soft light

Wildlife

Do Coyotes Attack Humans? Exploring Our Relationship with Coytes & Tips for Coexisting Safely

Coyotes kill 300,000 livestock yearly but rarely attack humans; coexistence strategies include avoiding feeding them and maintaining safe distance.

A bright green tree python coiled around a mossy branch in dim rainforest, its head resting on the coils

Wildlife

Meet the Green Tree Python: Verdant Beauty of the Rainforest

Green tree pythons are vibrant rainforest snakes native to New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia, known for aggressive temperament and arboreal lifestyle.

A pale pink goblin shark with a long flat snout swims in dark water, its jaws open to show small teeth

Wildlife

Goblin Sharks: Secrets of The Depths’ Most Bizarre Predators

Meet goblin sharks, bizarre deep-sea predators with extendable jaws and long snouts hunting in crushing ocean depths.

Bright yellow poison dart frog perched on a dark wet green leaf in dim rainforest undergrowth

Wildlife

Venomous Hoppers: The Incredible World of Earth’s Most Poisonous Frogs and Toads

Over 220 frog species are poisonous, some deadly enough to kill 10 adults. Discover Earth's most toxic amphibians and what makes them dangerous to pets and humans.

A coyote stands in dry grass at the edge of an autumn woodland, ears up and looking off to the side

Wildlife

Coyotes in New Jersey: The Garden State’s Newest Canine Resident

Eastern coyotes arrived in New Jersey around 1990, now occupying 94 percent of the state across 21 counties. These wolf-dog hybrids weigh 22 kg, hunt alone, and help balance ecosystems by controlling rabbit and fox populations.

Slender green lizard clinging head-up to a ridged palm trunk, with blurred palm fronds behind it

Wildlife

Are There Poisonous Lizards in Florida? The Sunshine State’s Most Dangerous Lizards

Florida has 50+ lizard species, but no poisonous ones. Invasive species like tegus and Nile monitors pose real dangers through powerful bites and predatory behavior.

A turkey vulture with a bare red head perched on a dead branch above a golden autumn prairie

Wildlife

23 Types of Vultures: Nature’s Clean-Up Crew

Meet 23 vulture species across two groups: Old World and New World vultures. Essential scavengers with powerful digestive systems.

Reef shark with dark-tipped fins gliding over coral in clear blue water, with sunbeams filtering down from the surface

Wildlife

Do Sharks Have Bones? Diving Into the Mystery of Shark Anatomy

Sharks lack bones entirely, relying on cartilage skeletons that grant flexibility, speed, and buoyancy without a swim bladder like other fish.

A manatee gliding over a shallow seagrass bed in clear green water, with a small square survey frame on the bottom

How-To

Are Mermaids Real? Exploring Ocean Myths and Legends

Mermaids are mythological creatures, likely inspired by misidentified manatees and dugongs that early explorers mistook for human-fish hybrids.

Cypress trees draped in Spanish moss rising from still brown water, with cypress knees poking above the surface

Natural World

What is a Bayou? Unraveling the Mysteries of America’s Wetlands

Bayous are low-lying, slow-moving southeastern wetlands formed near coastal areas and dominated by Bald Cypress trees and diverse wildlife.

Red fox with a rusty orange coat and white chest walking over leaf-strewn ground at the edge of a conifer forest

Wildlife

Are Foxes Canines or Felines? The Untold Story of These Cunning Creatures

Foxes are canines with the broadest range of any land mammal, living on nearly every continent and thriving in diverse habitats.