Dakotah Blanton
Stories by Dakotah Blanton
Sharks In Lake Michigan: True Story or Urban Myth?
Lake Michigan shark legend mostly urban myth; no documented sharks live there; bull sharks could physically reach but water too cold.
Are Birds Mammals? The Difference Between Feathers & Fur
Birds aren't mammals despite being warm-blooded. Birds lay eggs, have feathers, and beaks; mammals give birth and nurse young with milk.
Are Centipedes Poisonous? Discover the Truth About These Creepy Crawlers
All centipedes are venomous but not poisonous. Their venom isn't lethal to humans; bites are painful but comparable to bee stings.
How Long Do Spiders Live? Unraveling the Mystery of Spider Lifespans
Spider lifespans range from under a year to nearly twenty years, with males living shorter lives than females due to mating-related deaths.
How Do Snakes Mate? An Exploration of Their Unique Reproductive Methods
Snakes mate via mating balls or one-on-one; 70 percent lay eggs while 30 percent give live birth, some without needing a male.
How Strong is a Gorilla? Discover the Astounding Power of Our Primate Cousins
Gorillas can lift 10 times their body weight with 4 times stronger muscle mass and 3 times thicker bones.
Are Sharks Mammals or Fish? Debunking the Misconception
Sharks are fish, not mammals; they breathe via gills, have cartilage skeletons, and lack mammary glands despite some giving live birth.
How Long Do Elephants Live & How Humans Factor In
Asian elephants live around 45 years in the wild while African elephants reach 60 to 70 years, though captive elephants have shorter lifespans.
Slithering Secrets: Do Snakes Really Have Bones?
Snakes are vertebrates with 300+ bones including flexible ribs and unique multi-part skulls enabling them to swallow prey larger than their heads.
Are Bats Blind? Discover the Fascinating World of Bat Senses
Bats have excellent eyesight and use echolocation to find prey up to 3 miles away, emit sounds up to 140 decibels, and navigate using Earth's magnetic fields.
How Big Are Wolves? Meet the World’s Largest Canine
Grey wolves, Earth's largest canines, weigh 40-175 pounds and measure 4-6.56 feet long; they live in packs led by alpha pairs.
The Corn Snake: A Comprehensive Look at These Misunderstood Helpers
Corn snakes are harmless rodent-eating constrictors native to North America, often mistaken for venomous copperheads but excellent for pest control.
The Reticulated Python: Exploring the Life and Behavior of This Giant Serpent
The reticulated python is the world's longest snake, reaching up to 28 feet in length, with a pattern that blends perfectly into the rainforest floor.
50 of The Most Interesting Types of Fish: Pictures and Facts
Fifty fascinating fish species inhabit freshwater and saltwater environments worldwide, each with unique hunting behaviors, sizes, and adaptations.
How Long Do Lobsters Live: Immortal or Just Long-Lived?
Lobsters live exceptionally long lives, often reaching 50 to 70 years in the wild and potentially living much longer without apparent age-related decline.
10 Most Venomous Australian Snakes in the World
Australia hosts 20 of the world's most venomous snakes; the inland taipan is the deadliest with venom potency 0.025 LD50.
10 Fascinating Types of Deer: ID Guide with Photos & Facts
Meet 10 fascinating deer species from moose to water deer, found on 5 continents.
The 14 Species of Hawks in Texas and How You Can Spot Them
Texas is home to 14 hawk species, ranging from the common red-tailed hawk to rare zone-tailed and gray hawk species found in specialized habitats.
The 8 Species of Anoles in Florida: ID Guide with Photos
Florida hosts 8 anole species, 7 invasive; only the green anole is native. These tree-dwelling lizards display colorful dewlaps and can drop their tails when threatened.
Types of Trout: All About Trout and Their Management
Discover the 12 trout species worldwide, from rainbow trout to lake trout. Learn their habitats, diets, and role in ecosystems.
5 of the Best Trout Lakes in Michigan
Michigan offers world-class trout fishing with 5 species in Great Lakes and inland lakes. Target all species on Lake Superior, Huron, Michigan, or Erie.
15 Florida Freshwater Fish: Photos and Facts
Florida's 1,350 miles of freshwater lakes and rivers host 15 fish species ranging from native American eels to introduced salmon, restoring collapsed ecosystems.
20 Amazing Florida Frogs and Toads: Pictures + Facts
Florida hosts 20 native and invasive frog and toad species in marshes, swamps, and lakes; one frog consumes 100 insects nightly, including mosquitoes.
10 Fascinating Desert Birds and Their Unique Adaptations
Ten desert bird species and the adaptations that let them survive the planet's harshest landscapes.
The 20 Florida Spiders You Need to Know About (ID Guide and Pictures)
Florida hosts 20 spider species; only widow and recluse spiders pose minimal risk; spiders reduce mosquito populations, protecting homes and health.
The 7 Smallest Monkeys in the World: Pictures + Facts
Pygmy marmosets weigh 3 to 5 ounces and fit in your palm; meet the world's tiniest monkeys found in South American rainforests.
20 Most Important Fish in Lake Michigan: Native And Introduced
Lake Michigan nearly collapsed ecologically but now thrives with 20 restored and introduced fish species, making it a premier sportfishing destination.
Hawaiian Mongoose: The Story of Failed Pest-Control
Hawaiian mongooses are invasive predators introduced for pest control, now causing ecological damage to native birds, turtles, and island ecosystems.
How Hot Is A Campfire? Wood Tips, Temperature, Color Facts
Typical campfires burn 900-1,100 degrees Fahrenheit; flame color indicates temperature from red to blue flames.
The 7 Types of Owls in Florida: Chart, Images & Facts
Florida hosts seven owl species, from the tiny screech owl to the massive great horned owl, each with unique hunting adaptations.
53 Snakes in Florida: Guide to All Native & Invasive Species
Florida hosts 53 snake species; only 6 native snakes are venomous, while pythons, boas, and anacondas invaded from pet trade.
Lynx vs Bobcat: All Differences Between The Two Wild Cats
Lynx and bobcats are closely related wild cats with key differences in size, range, coat color, and habitat preferences despite sharing similar behaviors.
Turtle vs Tortoise: 7 Key Differences Detailed with Images and Facts
Turtles and tortoises are scientifically distinct reptiles within the order Testudines. Learn the key differences in shells, habitats, diets, and lifespans.
Apex Predator List: The Top 12 Predators At The Top of the Food Chain
Twelve apex predators reign at the top of Earth's food chains, from orcas hunting blue whales to jaguars dominating rainforests with unmatched dominance and power.
All About Polar Bears in Alaska
Polar bears are Arctic apex predators adapted to hunt seals on sea ice in extreme cold. Climate change threatens Alaska's two populations with declining ice and food scarcity.
How To Make A Camping Tent From Scratch: An Emergency Shelter, or For Fun
Build a DIY camping tent using tarps, poles, rope, and stakes with four methods: two-tree A-frame, lean-to, central post, or emergency shelter.
Jaguar vs Leopard: Top 10 Differences
Jaguars and leopards are similar spotted big cats, but jaguars are heavier, have larger rosette markings, and superior bite force.
10 Keystone Species Examples and the Important Role they Play in Every Ecosystem
Keystone species have outsized ecosystem impact relative to their abundance, such as predators controlling prey populations.
15 Beautiful and Strange Beach Birds of Florida (Chart & Pics)
Identify Florida's 15 shorebirds from laughing gulls to roseate spoonbills, with photos, field marks, and habitat tips for beach birders.
Largest Alligator in Florida with Facts and State Records
Florida's largest recorded alligator measured 14 feet 3 inches and weighed 654 pounds when caught in Lake Washington in 2010.
19+ Different Types of Eels: Classification, Facts, & Photos
Eels are scaleless fish with cylindrical bodies and extra pharyngeal jaws; 19 species inhabit oceans, rivers, and coral reefs worldwide.
16+ Strongest Bite Force in the Animal Kingdom
Compare bite forces across 16 animals, from hippos and crocodiles to humans, with detailed PSI measurements and rankings.
Sharks in Florida: All You Ought to Know (Pics, Facts and Chart)
Florida's 40+ shark species include hammerheads, tiger sharks, and bull sharks; most aren't threats; bites are rare despite high beach tourism.
Wild Monkeys in Florida: All About Them and How They Got There
Four species of wild monkeys thrive in Florida, escaped from research facilities and zoos during hurricanes, creating established colonies in mangrove forests.
11 Fantastic National Parks in Florida Perfect For Your Outdoor Experience
Explore 11 Florida national parks, from the 1.5-million-acre Everglades wetland to historic monuments and coastal preserves.
What is Poaching and Why is It Practiced?
Poaching is illegal hunting, trapping, or taking of game and fish from protected land; drives endangerment.
Snakes in Texas: 9 Different Types of Venomous and Nonvenomous Snakes Slithering in Texas
Texas harbors 68 snake species across diverse habitats, with 9 prominent types ranging from tiny blind snakes to massive Indigo snakes.
