Author: Andrea Merrill

My name is Andrea Merrill and I created Animals of the Pacific Northwest, where I write about animals of all kinds
Cheetahs, Guest Post, Zoology

Why Are Cheetahs Endangered?

By Alan Strachan | January 21, 2018 Cheetahs are classified as Vulnerable but are likely to move into the Endangered classification very soon. There are six classifications. Each has different criteria such as population size, geographic range and extinction possibility The classifications are: Least concern, which means the species are still abundant Vulnerable: this means there is a big population decline in the wild and … Continue reading Why Are Cheetahs Endangered?

Andrea MerrillLeave a comment
Guest Post, Naturalist

So You Want to Be a Naturalist Guide?

By Marissa Ellis-Snow  In terms of dedicated wildlife holidays, the job of the naturalist tour leader is clear-cut: to act as an ambassador between nature and human visitors. Leading tours into the wild, whether in the outback of Australia or the seas surrounding the Azores archipelago, requires a deep knowledge of the location and its history, as well as the skills to communicate that knowledge to … Continue reading So You Want to Be a Naturalist Guide?

Andrea MerrillLeave a comment
Guest Post, The Moon

Do You Know The 8 Phases of The Moon?

By Gary Nugent Did you know that the Moon is the second brightest object in the sky, after the Sun? We see the Moon because of the sunlight reflected from it. But, since the Moon orbits the Earth and the Earth orbits the Sun, the angles between these three bodies is constantly changing. But in predictable ways. From our standpoint here on Earth, those changing angles … Continue reading Do You Know The 8 Phases of The Moon?

Andrea MerrillLeave a comment
Careers, Guest Post, Zoology

Animal Care Professional: An Alternative Career in Biology

By Adam Lepkowski The definition of zookeeping has changed rather drastically in the last two decades, and for a much longer period, many zoological facilities were places for entertainment. A dynamic shift has occurred in the profession as the era of conservation gains steam, and the job of each animal care professional is now requiring a wider understanding of their charges in the wild, and how … Continue reading Animal Care Professional: An Alternative Career in Biology

Andrea Merrill2 Comments
Forests, Guest Post, Rainforests

The Rainforests You Didn’t Know Existed (Ireland to Malaysia)

By Kogi G  Rainforests are more than just a fascinatingly biodiverse environment to explore – they play a crucial role in preserving the future of mankind, with a recent study showing that rainforests absorb more than half of the carbon emissions around the world. This means the preservation of rainforests goes beyond a mere conceit – it’s an imperative. So what better way to spend your … Continue reading The Rainforests You Didn’t Know Existed (Ireland to Malaysia)

Andrea MerrillLeave a comment
Careers, Elephants, Zoology

Why I’m Never Going to Be an Elephant Keeper

By Barbara N Garrett  I have loved elephants my entire life but about two years ago, my love for them escalated to deep concern about them. I was starting to hear stories of how the African elephant was on a fast track toward extinction, being poached for their ivory tusks. I began reading everything I could about what was going on in Africa, who was responsible … Continue reading Why I’m Never Going to Be an Elephant Keeper

Andrea MerrillLeave a comment
Careers, Naturalist

What Is A Naturalist?

There are a few different definitions of the term ‘naturalist’. Merriam Webster defines the term as both ‘one that advocates or practices naturalism (the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena)’ or ‘a student of natural history, especially a field biologist’. EnvironmentalScience.org, on the other hand, defines naturalism as a field of science similar to but ultimately different from biology, as … Continue reading What Is A Naturalist?

Andrea MerrillLeave a comment