CaLea Johnson

Joined: Jul 16, 2024

CaLea Johnson is a Mental Floss staff writer who has written content for different video game publications. She enjoys writing about weird sea creatures, science, music, and games the most. You can also find her playing the latest indie games, reading manga or folklore from different cultures, and painting random things in her spare time.

Who would have thought a woodpecker could be so destructive.

Locals Shield Their Cars From Vandal Woodpecker in Rockport, Massachusetts

Juggling deadlines and children takes a lot of work.

The 10 Best States for Working Moms

A diver is about a meter behind the coelacanth discovered at a depth of 144 meters in North Maluku, Indonesia.

Scientists Capture First Footage of Ancient Coelacanth in Its Natural Habitat

Canadian Museum Builds LEGO Mobility Device for Its Three-Footed Resident Turtle

The 20 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in the Country

Games, play areas, and kids’ nights make these the top restaurants for families in the U.S.

Valerie proves that dachshunds are stronger than you might think.

“Impossible to Catch” Dachshund Lost in the Wilderness for 529 Days Is Finally Rescued

After escaping during a 2023 vacation, miniature dachshund Valerie survived in the wilderness alone for over a year.

Watch Out, Cheetozard—A “Pikacheeto” Is Up for Auction

In the latest Pokémon-shaped snack news, a “Pikacheeto” is selling for over $2500. Cheetos shaped like Super Mario and Michael Jordan are also up for auction.

There’s a new reason to visit Chattanooga.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, Is Now the First National Park City in North America

Chattanooga has come a long way from being one of the most polluted cities in the country to the U.S.’s first National Park City.

Hawaii is one of the easiest states to navigate, according to this study.

The 5 Easiest States for Drivers to Navigate

Thousands of travelers rated the best states for stress-free driving—see which made the top five.

Interactive Cicada Map Shows Where You Can See (and Hear) Brood XIV This Spring

Use this map from the University of Connecticut to check if 17-year periodical cicadas will appear in your neighborhood soon.

One LEGO builder is pushing the limits of the medium.

This Working LEGO Xylophone Sounds Better Than You’d Expect

Andrew Huang’s fully functional xylophone made entirely from LEGO is music to our ears.

These are the places renters may want to consider moving to.

The 10 Most (and Least) Affordable Cities for Renters in 2025

Discover the U.S. cities where renters can save money in 2025—and those where rent will take a big bite out of your wallet.

Measuring flour is easier than you may think.

The Right Way to Measure Flour

You might be measuring flour incorrectly. Here‘s the proper way to do it.

Hawaii is one of the top three states for luxurious vacation spots.

The 10 Best States for Luxury Vacations

From Florida’s five-star resorts to Maine’s luxury marinas, see which states ranked highest for upscale vacations.

Three outer cases of the “bone collector” caterpillar decorated with insect body parts.

This Newly-Identified Carnivorous Caterpillar Wears the “Bones” of Its Prey

The Hawaiian caterpillar adorns itself in dead bug parts—and its gruesome habits might be key to its survival in spider webs.

The 10 Most Pet-Friendly Cities Around the World

See which international cities offer the best conditions for you and your companion.