Talon Homer (original) (raw)

Talon Homer

Talon was instilled with a passion for cars, engineering, and technology practically from birth. An old home videotape shows him at 2 years old, calling all his Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys by make and model. He's applied this knowledge and enthusiasm to pieces for The Drive, Popular Mechanics, Car and Driver magazine, and now to HowStuffWorks.

Recent Contributions

Zoos in the United States are home to some of the largest and most impressive collections of wild animals in the world. They serve the dual purpose of letting kids and adults view the animals while also helping protect endangered species and educating the public on wildlife conservation efforts.

Statistically, over half of the people reading this article live in a city, with a higher population density than rural or suburban areas. For instance, New York City has nearly 27,000 people crammed into each square mile (2.6 square km) of land.

In this age of electronic communication, the art of letter writing has all but been lost, but the knowledge necessary to address an envelope is something we all should certainly possess.

By Francisco Guzman & Talon Homer

Adjacent angles are one of the earliest and most important concepts to learn in basic geometry, as they have applications in further subjects like trigonometry, physics, and engineering. Effective students of geometry should be able to identify adjacent angles on sight and calculate them to a great degree of accuracy without a protractor.

Did you know the word "hippopotamus" comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse"? But don't let that fool you; this big, lumbering mammal is anything but a horse. In fact, it's one of the most powerful animals living in Sub-Saharan Africa today.

Assassin bugs (also known as ambush bugs or thread-legged bugs) are one of nature's stealthiest hunters, known for their precision strikes and ability to subdue prey with incredible efficiency.

The saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, is the largest living reptile on Earth, and it rules the waters from northern Australia to Southeast Asia. These massive reptiles are often called "salties" and can grow to incredible sizes, with large male saltwater crocodiles sometimes reaching lengths of up to 7 meters (23 feet).

Whether it's natural cooking oil, industrial machine grease or motor oil, grease stains can wreak havoc when they come in contact with your favorite clothing item. Read on to learn how to get grease out of clothes, including differing methods for synthetic fabrics and natural fibers.

Everything seems to get more expensive over time, and even toys are no exception to this rule. The simple, cheap Lego sets of our childhoods have been replaced by ones that are massive both in terms of piece count and in price.

Although most of the highest mountains in the world are in Asia (looking at you, Mount Everest and Himalayas), the United States is home to some of the most breathtaking and impressive mountain ranges in the world.

Let's talk about one of the coolest movers and shakers in the desert world: the sidewinder snake. Known for its unique way of getting around, this snake has mastered the art of slithering across scorching desert sands in the hottest places on Earth.

In North America and other parts of the world, you may encounter a red and black snake along your hike and wonder if you're dealing with a venomous snake species or something like a harmless milk snake.

Pit vipers also carry venom in twin glands behind their eyes, delivered through movable fangs that can be folded up against the roof of their mouth.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer

Today, we’re going to dive into the world of a perplexing and somewhat notorious creature: the snakehead, aka snake fish. These predatory fish are known for their long, snake-like bodies, aggressive hunting style, and ability to survive on land. What's more, they’re an invasive species in many parts of the world, including the United States.

Today, we’re diving into the world of the glass snake, more commonly known as a glass lizard. They aren’t actually snakes at all; they’re several species of legless lizard. That's right, glass lizards look an awful lot like snakes, but they have some key differences that set them apart.

The African house snake is a small, nonvenomous snake native to southern Africa, often kept as pets due to its docile nature and ease of care. If you're into reptiles, you may have heard of them, but if not, you're in for a treat!

The coachwhip snake is one of the fastest and most agile reptiles you'll find slithering through the wilds of North America. With long, slender bodies and incredible speed, these snakes are often called whip snakes due to their whip-like appearance and swift movements.

The elephant trunk snake is one of the most unusual reptiles out there. Native to Southeast Asia, this fully aquatic snake is known for its distinctive appearance, with loose, baggy skin that gives it a texture reminiscent of an elephant’s trunk — hence the name!

The hamsa, a depiction of a human hand, often with a central eye motif, is a protective symbol meant to ward off evil.

By Robert Lamb & Talon Homer

Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, the boomslang snake is known for its remarkable agility, bright green coloration and potent venom. Despite being one of the few snakes capable of delivering a fatal bite to humans, this tree snake is timid and generally avoids confrontation.

There are more than 50 species of snakes that live in the seas. Some are super venomous and they can zip through the water with ease.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer

Cottonmouth snakes are often called water moccasins and are one of only four venomous snakes found in North America.

By John Perritano & Talon Homer

Often confused with the venomous coral snake, which advertises its toxicity through bright bands of color, the milk snake is harmless to humans.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer

These snakes are some of the best reptilian actors you'll ever meet, but don't let the act fool you.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer