Laura Klappenbach is a biologist, ecologist, and science writer with a life-long fascination for animals and wildlife.

Experience:

Laura has served as About.com's Animals / Wildlife guide for over seven years during which time she has researched and reported on animals of all sizes, shapes, and demeanors, from mites to blue whales. During graduate school, Laura was a teaching assistant for courses in wetlands biology and applied ecology. Since graduating, Laura has developed her career as a science and technology writer.

Laura is a member of the National Association of Science Writers, the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Education:

Laura holds BS degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as an MS degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Ecology from Indiana University, Bloomington. She has also attended the Shoals Marine Laboratory where she studied Biological Illustration.

From Laura Klappenbach:

I profile hundreds of animals from Adélie penguins to xenarthrans and provide tips on how to watch animals and identify what you see. I help you to explore wildlife, whether it be in your own backyard or in some distant, exotic habitat. I have yet to encounter an animal that fails to amaze me—I have as much appreciation for oft-maligned creatures such as great white sharks, funnel-web spiders, and Komodo dragons as I do for beloved animal icons such as giant pandas, dolphins, and giraffes. My goal for this site is to make the world of animals and wildlife as fascinating to you as it is to me by providing you with fresh, timely information about the wonderful creatures with whom we share this planet.