#whether it's mountain lions or wolves or coyotes

[thesnowqueen]

this one person at work was telling me how one of her cats got pregnant and then she had like 6 kittens she needed to find homes for. and she was also telling me how another kitten was the sweetest thing and had a such a big personality and then the kitten got hit by a car and she was really sad. it took all of my willpower to not snap and go "that's why you shouldn't let your cats go outside, dumbass"

[barrenclan]

PATFW: Animal Name Systems

As more non-Clan characters get introduced to the story, I’ve been having fun coming up with the naming systems for various animals. In real life there would probably be more natural variety within a whole species, but also making up little systems is fun so I don’t care. Also, as a technical note, obviously none of these names are in “English”. They’re in whatever language animals speak. So, like, Hacksaw is not literally “hacksaw”, it’s the animal word for that object. 

Cats - with the exception of warriors (who obviously have an incredibly specific naming system), cat names tend to be more loose, and can be named after many things. In general, they are shorter. House cats are also an exception, as they are named by people and so their names can be very different. Ex. Cashew, Summer, Rowan, Egret, Thrasher, Jackalope

Wolves and coyotes - like cats, wolves also have a more loose naming system. Often wolves are named after someone else, to honor them. Coyote communities are heavily linked to wolf communities, so their rules are similar. In general, they are longer. Ex. Coldbreath, Nightshade, Lucky-Foot, Antlerhorn, Ranger

Deer - deer are always named after plants. No exceptions to this. Often the plants are ones that the parents admire or enjoy. Ex. Wild Rose, Juniper, Hyssop, Maple, Lingonberry

Mountain lions - they are named after some kind of aspirational trait at birth that their parent is hoping they fulfill. Sometimes this leads to funny, ironic circumstances, but usually the kitten is shaped by their name and strives to embody it. Ex. Ferocity, Swiftness, Cunning, Power, Caution

Porcupines - for the first year of their life, porcupine kits are named after the order in which their mother gave birth to them. Ex. First, Second, Third, etc. When the porcupine has come of age, they are given their adult name. These names are short and functional, usually no more than four letters. Ex. Mud, Snap, Snow, Blue

Falcons - chicks are never given names by their parents, and are generally treated as indistinguishable when young. Once they leave the nest, falcons name themselves whatever they like. Frequently these names are inspired by human artifacts, as falcons (and many other bird cultures, as well as raccoons) value their liminal relationship to humans. Ex. Hacksaw, Highway, Black-Wing, Perils, Artemis

Bears - at birth, bears are given short, silly names, meant to be inconsequential. Ex. Fuzz, Seed, Bug, Baby. When they come of age, they are given an adult name by the eldest bear, whether it’s a large group or just a family. These names are structured as some kind of brag about the individual’s qualities, to impress others and display dominance. They are composed of two words in the trait separated by a hyphen. Ex. Longest-Claws, Fiercest-Roar, Strongest-Jaw, Thickest-Pelt. However, if the bear is disliked or considered weak, they can be also be called a version of this structure that is an insult. Ex. Dullest-Mind, Weakest-Strike, Softest-Heart. The greatest shame of all, though, is an adult bear forced to keep their childhood name. 

[weaselle]

i've seen this before but i just now heard some people talking about it so i'm going to weigh in.

(I don't sit around day dreaming about fighting animals or anything, but i live under a hill with coyotes and a mountain lion and i've done a fair amount of wandering around where the wild things are, so this kind of thing does cross my mind)

First of all, we're talking a fight not an altercation. I think there's a chance i could drive off just about any of these animals, by bluffing them or acting weird enough or getting them to give a little ground which often turns into giving more ground and going away. I've navigated interactions with wild animals before, and you can usually make yourself seem like not enough of a threat and yet also too much trouble, and end things before they really begin.

What we're talking about is after these tactics fail and you are already in a physical fight.

And for the purposes of this i'm going to say this includes fighting for your life against a predatory attack -- there's a big difference between driving off a large predator that is just roughing you up because it's mad you're in its territory, and one that has already decided its for sure going to kill you, and we're going to say "what if the worst should happen". So:

rat

house cat

goose

medium sized dog

eagle

large dog are all a yes from me. Large dog and eagle are trouble but doable -- i'm very experienced with large dogs and i grew up around geese and the eagle is going to be the same as the goose but you'll walk away with more significant injuries. Like, an eagle weighs the same as a jack russell terrier and has hollow bones, if i can get a hold of it i can end it, but i'm probably gonna need, like, so many stitches. Same with the large dog, i'll likely need to visit the hospital after (and i'd be real sad) but i could get it done if i had to.

now. The unknowns. These are all animals that there's some chance, however small, i might survive.

wolf

king cobra

crocodile

kangaroo

Wolf. So. I work with dogs professionally, I have had to break up several dog fights, i'm comfortable physically interacting with very large dogs, and that's why i think i could definitely win a fight against a dog if i had to. I've also come face to face with a wild wolf in the woods (which was pretty damn scary) and i think there's a chance i could win against a single wolf basically the same way i would win against a large dog, but also, wolves are not dogs, they literally kill other animals all the time, they're like, professionals at it, so. Maybe.

King cobra, yeah, i can for sure kill this poor snake with my bare hands, but whether or not i can do it without getting a lethal dose of venom stuck into me is a big coin flip. Is it winning if you kill the snake but you also die? not to me

Crocodile just depends on so much. I mean probably not. Like, a large adult Saltwater or Nile croc? absolutely not, nope, no way, i'm for sure deadzo. But crocs come in a lot of sizes and shapes. And many of them sort of keep growing their whole life, so, a 5 and a half foot croc might be an adult or i could be facing an adult crocodile of the same species that weighs more than 2,000 pounds.

Gharial crocs can also get way bigger than i can do anything with, but they have a really thin snout designed to catch fish. Other species of crocs also have smaller, thinner mouths and specialize in fish, like the central african slender-snouted croc, which do not get as large as their nile cousins. And various smaller species of crocodile exist that might be adults at only three or four feet long.

Most crocodiles enter tonic immobility like sharks, so if i can get it on its back for a couple breaths it will go sort of unconscious, and if it's not too big i might be able to make that happen. Of course, even if it only weighs like 40 pounds, if we're in water that's deeper than i am tall it can just latch on and keep my head under the surface... so a lot depends on what kind of croc, what size, and what specific ground/water environment we're in. The answer is, probably not. But it depends.

Kangaroo. So that leaves this guy. Basically, this is like fighting a soccer player who has a short-bladed knife in each hand and a spike on each foot. The kicks are hard, and i'm getting cut up real good, but there's some chance i could win. Or not. It kind of depends on the individual. Some adult kangaroos are smaller than me and some are bigger than me and i do know how to fight but then again i definitely fight less often than the kangaroo does and it has weapons and i don't, so. Likely not. But maybe. Depends. Also depends on what you mean by "win". It definitely doesn't want to eat me and they don't usually fight to the death -- I've seen a person punch a large kangaroo hard enough to make it change its mind about wanting to fight. i kinda think i might be able to achieve a similar outcome.

Okay, now the rest of these are just crazy! Chimps are a big no, they can do everything i can do but stronger, better, and with fangs.

A gorilla? If they do decide you have to be ended, gorillas are an even worse opponent, there's just no way. A male gorilla has jaw muscles the same size as my biceps. They have a bite force twice as strong as a lion's. They can weigh more than 400 pounds. There's absolutely no way.

And there's literally nothing an unarmed human could do against a determined lion, brown bear, or elephant. Less than zero chance if one of those things decides you have to die.

look, the smallest of those last three would be a lioness. Here's three big strong men testing their strength against a single lioness

dude. She's not even trying very hard. A wild lioness that decided an unarmed person was food? There's basically nothing you can do once she takes action, all your options depend on doing something to make her change her mind before she gets a hold of you. It's the same for a brown bear, and lmao, an elephant could literally throw a car at you. An elephant can weigh six thousand pounds and lowkey has to move carefully around a person to not kill them accidentally.

idk who these 6-17% think they are, but some of these "yes" answers up on that poll are insane.

[freecandyman]

Yes most Americans are breaking the law at almost all times, but don't worry about that part.

So I don't really know how it is everywhere, and keep in mind that the law and culture differs drastically between states and sometimes even between counties within states. But where I am there's tons of hiking trails, bike paths and other recreational areas on land owned by the government, either city or state level, unconnected to the national parks system. There is no such thing as trespassing on public land, unless there's a fence and it's posted.

And, usually, it will be posted, no trespassing. If you don't have a sign up, whether it's private or public land, you can't claim trespassing. But in a lot of circumstances a fence is put up and no trespassing is posted because the land is in some way a safety hazard to the public. Like it's cow pasture, don't get too close to cattle, they are big and can injure you. Or it's industrial farmland. Or there's an abandoned mercury mine on the property. True story!

There's also the wildlife concerns! Wolves, mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, bobcats, elk, and that's all just within my county. It is genuinely not that safe to go hiking in some parts of the US at some times of year because we still have most of our wildlife that can and will eat you and they just live here. They go where they want and we only relocate after there has been an Incident.

Anyway, if your American protagonist goes off in the woods it depends heavily on where he is whether or not he's trespassing. If he's local he knows exactly where he can go without being harassed or unsafe. Some places have what's called an easement, where regardless of who own the land people can use the path through it, if there's nowhere else to go, this is almost always the case along creeks for instance. But as for people's yards those are usually fenced. General rule of thumb, don't cross unfamiliar fence lines and pay attention to no trespassing signs, because 'no trespassing' can mean anything from the guy here has nothing better to do and will call the cops on you to you might end up in the abandoned mercury mine if you keep going.

When I made that post about the right to roam in Northern Europe/Scandinavia a lot of Americans told me stories about stepping off the road to look at something or walking into some woods and suddenly some guy would pop out and yell at them for being on their land and now I’m very confused about where exactly people are allowed to walk in the US.

Obviously there’s going to be differences from state to state but now I’m looking at American movies and shows in an entirely different way. Are most of those people walking through nature trespassing and it’s just not brought up because Americans know what’s going on and therefore the creators don’t feel like explaining it?

Because I know you’re allowed to be in national parks but also that national parks can close, meaning it’s possible to trespass in places you wouldn’t expect.

For example, if you stop at a small parking lot at a rest stop, is there a big chance you’re trespassing if you step off the parking lot? Are most American protagonists low key breaking the law every time they travel? Please, I need answers!

[paragliging]

How To Make Your Outdoor Travel Experience Unforgettable

If you’re looking for a way to get away from it all and reconnect with nature, then outdoor travel is the perfect choice. From hiking in remote mountains to camping in wild forests, there are so many ways to experience the wonders of our natural world. Whether you’re an experienced explorer or just getting started, here are a few tips on how to make your outdoor journey as enjoyable and safe as possible.

Winter tour can be a truly magical experience. From snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes to the beauty of nature in its purest form, winter is the perfect time for a memorable journey into the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for an opportunity to get away from it all or simply want to explore new places, there are plenty of ways you can make your winter time adventure unforgettable.

Safety tips outdoor travel 

1. Research your destination: Before you embark on your outdoor travel ⛰️, do some research about the area, so that you are aware of any potential hazards. Check for local weather forecasts and advisories such as flash floods or hurricanes in the region. 

2. Make a Plan: Come up with an itinerary and share it with someone who will be expecting to hear from you during your trip . In case something goes wrong, this person can alert authorities when they don’t hear from you within the expected time frame . 

3. Let Someone Know When You Leave & Arrive: Whenever possible , let someone know ☎️ when and where you are going before leaving for an adventure trips or other outdoor activity . Also let them know when to expect your return so that if something were to go wrong along the way they could send help sooner rather than later 

4. Avoid Strangers & Unfamiliar Areas : Always avoid wandering into unfamiliar areas while hiking 🚲 or camping especially at night time as this increases risk of getting lost , injured , attacked by wild animals etc..                      

 5 Use Common Sense ✅ : If an area looks unsafe then it probably is not safe – trust your instincts ! Don’t take unnecessary risks by entering dangerous places like abandoned buildings , caves etc - even if others do not appear concerned about safety there should always be caution taken whenever travelling on an outdoor adventure tour. 

 6 Wear Appropriate Clothing & Gear : Wear clothing suitable for climate conditions including layers which can provide protection against mosquitoes 🦟, ticks and other pests . Bring along necessary gear such as water bottles sunscreen insect repellent whistles first-aid kits flares compass maps etc depending upon where one is travelling 

 7 Stay Alert For Wildlife 🐅 : Be aware of potentially dangerous wildlife such as bears snakes mountain lions coyotes wolves moose etc which may inhibit certain areas - make noise while walking through tall grasses thickets thick forests steep slopes ravines rocky outcroppings near water sources (to alert animals) keep food items sealed away properly never approach wild animals even if they appear docile follow posted signs regarding animal sightings in certain regions

[tarazizari]

It's that time again where everyone in the local facebook groups argue whether or not mountain lions are in NY. It happens every few months... It's bobcats. Always bobcats. If as many people had seen mountain lions as they claimed, they'd absolutely be posting photos for proof. Bears are all over in NY and whenever there's a sighting in the area at least a dozen people share pics. There are never pics of the supposed mountain lions that don't turn out to be bobcats. Last time someone shared photos of obvious coyotes they were claiming to be wolves. Most people are clearly bullshitting; some of these stories people are coming up with are honestly the most farfetched things I've read, but everyone seems to think there's a DEC conspiracy to hide this, without any reason or motive for why. No one wants to admit they could be wrong though, so they double down. If someone could show definitive proof, it's be one thing, but since no one can... There are no mountain lions or wolves in NY.

[rebeccathenaturalist]

How Dangerous Are Coyote Encounters?

(Originally posted at https://rebeccalexa.com/how-dangerous-are-coyote-encounters/)

While spring is a time that many people associate with cute baby animals, fall and winter are when breeding season actually begins for many mammals. Right now we are in coyote (Canis latrans) breeding season, which means these native canids are on the move, seeking mates. You may even be more likely to hear them as they call out to each other, and they may be active at any time of day or night. This could lead to coyote encounters for your or your pets.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about coyotes that have been used to excuse the ongoing persecution of these intelligent animals. Coyotes are an example of a keystone species, one which is so important to its habitat that if it is removed it has serious negative effects for numerous other species. They keep several prey species, including rodents, from overpopulating and spreading disease; this also helps keep some plant species from being decimated by too many herbivores. Some birds also may benefit from coyotes as these wild dogs keep nest predators in check, allowing more eggs and baby birds to survive to adulthood.

Prior to widespread agricultural and industrial development by European-Americans, coyotes largely lived west of the Mississippi. As their competitors the gray wolf (Canis lupus) and red wolf (Canis rufus) were exterminated in much of its range in the lower 48 states, coyotes were able to expand further east and north, and today they can be found in every state except Hawaii. (They’ve even been expanding toward South America in recent years!) Moreover, as coyotes are much more tolerant of humans than some larger predators such as wolves and mountain lions (Felis concolor), and are not as reliant on forested land, they were able to take advantage of land cleared for agriculture and housing. In fact, they’ve even been found in the hearts of cities as large as Los Angeles! And they respond to being hunted not by leaving an area, but by having more pups each year, meaning that more places are looking to humane, nonlethal control measures based on more recent scientific research in the field.

Unfortunately, these savvy animals have been followed by some unfortunate myths which can make people more concerned about coyote encounters. Let’s untangle a couple of them.

Myths About Coyotes

Many animals will become more aggressive during breeding and denning/nesting season, both to secure their territory and protect mates and young. Elk and other deer are notoriously dangerous during the fall rut, and even an antlerless doe can inflict serious damage with her sharp hooves if she feels her fawn is threatened. And of course no one wants to come between a mama bear and her cubs! Even birds are more likely to go on the attack when on the nest, whether that’s an angry Canada goose charging at you, a flock of dive-bombing crows, or even a fierce little wren yelling at you from a perch at face level.

Contrary to popular belief, though, wildlife aren’t going to go out of their way to confront humans unless they feel threatened. This includes coyotes. They have a particular behavior that is often mistaken for an attack or stalking: the escort. What happens is that one coyote, usually one of the parents of a nearby litter of pups, will appear to be following you at a bit of a distance. However, they’re simply keeping an eye on you, kind of like a person watching someone of questionable character walking down the street. You’ve strayed too close to the den site, and they just want to be sure you leave without causing any trouble.

If you happen to be getting closer to the den (which you may not even be able to see) they may come closer or even growl. But unless you are actively threatening the den or pups, it is highly unlikely they’ll follow through with their bluff. Keep in mind that wildlife don’t have veterinarians they can go to, and even a seemingly minor injury can end up worsening and end in eventual death, either through infection or starvation. So a healthy coyote will only engage in conflict if they absolutely feel they have no other choice.

You may be even more likely to see an escorting coyote if you have a dog with you. This is because while humans are certainly seen as a threat, dogs are even moreso because they so closely resemble wolves. In the wild, wolves will kill coyotes over food or territory, and dogs are close enough to wolves to make coyotes more concerned. Dogs that run loose have been known to kill coyote pups, and some people even still hunt coyotes with dogs. No wonder the coyotes are concerned.

Escorting of dogs by coyotes brings up another myth: the “scout coyote”. This is a common myth that pops up especially during breeding season. Supposedly a single coyote from a pack will try to lure a dog closer, only to have the entire pack attack and kill the dog. Some people even go so far as to say it’s always a female coyote in heat trying to trap male dogs.

However, the coyote escort is not deliberately trying to lead the dog anywhere; it just wants the dog to go away and, like with humans, is watching it until it leaves. If the dog approaches, especially if it does so in an aggressive manner (charging, barking, chasing the retreating coyote, etc.) the pack may then leap in to defend the escort and their territory. In this case, though, it was the dog who initiated the actual aggression; all the coyotes wanted was to be left alone.

(It should be noted that dogs often escalate encounters with other wildlife like bears (Ursus spp.) and elk (Cervus canadensis) for much the same reasons. Most wildlife will continue on their way if left alone, but if your off-leash dog–even a small dog–charges in at them barking its head off, then of course the animal is going to defend itself. Most cases of “My dog protected me from a dangerous animal!” would have ended much more peacefully had the dog been under control and the wild animal been allowed to leave at its own pace.)

Body language speaks volumes: This off-leash dog should never have been allowed to get this close to the coyote, and I’d be willing to bet the dog was the initial aggressor; a dog is much more likely to charge at a coyote than vice versa. This is also not “an attacking coyote.” Notice the coyote is being threatening with its head down and teeth bared, and is slowly moving toward the dog, but is NOT charging in to attack even though it easily could at this distance; it wants to scare the dog away, not fight. Nickton, CCA 2.0

Keeping Coyote Encounters Safe

Most of the time when we see a coyote, we get a brief glimpse before the animal heads off in another direction; after all, we’re rather scary to them! So how can we enjoy getting to see these smart critters without anyone getting hurt–humans, pets, or coyotes?

First, don’t feed the coyotes; feeding coyotes is the single biggest factor in making them aggressive toward humans. Sure, you may not deliberately putting out a dish specifically for them, but remember that these are very adaptable omnivores. Any time you leave pet food outside, or try to feed other wildlife like raccoons (Procyon lotor) or opossums (Didelphis virginiana), the coyotes are going to come in for their share. Coyotes will also help themselves to unsecured trash, and as omnivores they may even occasionally feed on fruit from orchards. And a fed coyote loses its fear of humans, which can make it more dangerous. By removing food sources around your home, you’ll keep coyotes from seeing your yard as a buffet.

If you don’t want your cat eaten by a coyote, keep it inside. Yes, even cats that have spent years outdoors can be trained to be indoor kitties; if they’re still scratching to be let out weeks later, you need to give them more enrichment, and not give in to their demands. Not only will your cat live a longer life, and be less likely to be injured or killed by cars, poisons, or dogs, but it will also be safe from coyotes (and the local birds and other wildlife will be safe from your cat.) If you want your cat to still have some outdoor time, consider building a catio, or leash-training your cat! Speaking of leashes, dogs should always be on leashes. Even if they’re too big to be considered a coyote snack, remember what I said earlier about dogs tending to escalate things with wildlife, to include coyote encounters.

If you own chickens or other livestock, a good fence is the best protection against coyotes. A wire fence that they can’t climb through works well, especially if it has roll bars on the top (which also help keep other predators like bobcats (Lynx rufus) and bears out, too.) Keep animals in a secure coop or stable at night. For free-ranging or large pasture animals like sheep or cattle, consider a livestock guardian dog whose sole job is to take care of the herd or flock.

Use nonlethal methods whenever possible; killing coyotes often leads to increased predation. Why? Remember that when coyotes are killed, the remaining coyotes will have more pups. This means more demand for food, which means more predation on livestock. Moreover, traps and hunting often target younger coyotes that are more likely to hunt rodents (keeping them in control) rather than livestock. The vacuum created by the loss of these non-predatory coyotes may be filled by individuals from surrounding areas that are perfectly happy to hunt the livestock.

Finally, if you do see a coyote, don’t try to get closer to it, and definitely don’t try to feed it! If the coyote is at a distance, and is not approaching you, you can likely keep walking, just so long as you aren’t heading closer to it. If the coyote appears to be following you, keep an eye on it but don’t run; chances are you’re near a den and it’s just watching to make sure you leave without causing any trouble.

In the unlikely-but-still-possible event the coyote acts aggressively toward you beyond a growl, face it, make a LOT of noise, and try to make yourself look bigger by spreading your arms, and opening your jacket or umbrella if you have one. You can throw rocks and sticks at it, too. Don’t run, and don’t turn your back, but do back away slowly. If you have a dog keep them on a very tight leash; don’t let them approach the coyote. If the dog is small enough, you can pick it up as you back away. It’s okay to carry an air horn or pepper spray, but use the spray as a last resort, especially if it’s windy and you might have it blow back on you!

The vast majority of coyote encounters are peaceful, and they offer us a glimpse into the lives of these fascinating beings. By respecting their wildness and their boundaries, we can coexist with them and allow them to continue filling the ecological niche they’ve inhabited for thousands of years.

Did you enjoy this article? I have plenty more articles for you to read, and you might even consider taking one of my online classes on foraging and other natural history topics!

[hasufin]

I would point out three pieces of information:

1) The last known 100% red wolves in the wild were captured for breeding programs in the early 1900s. This does not mean “there were no red wolves in the wild after that” but it does mean they’re very likely coywolves. Given the similarity between coyotes and red wolves, and having worked with the latter a little bit, I wouldn’t even try to fucking guess.

2) With some canids, the only way to distinguish them is through genetic testing, and frankly the advent of genetic testing has completely fucked our knowledge of taxonomy, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

3) In Kansas back in the early 00s, a woman hit a mountain lion with her car. When she called it in the 911 operator attempted to convince her it was actually a deer, and it was only accepted as a legit mountain lion after the dead animal was collected, examined by a biologist, and even then there were doubters. What I’m saying is, there’s often a lot of denial about whether a species is in an area still/again. Apparently once it’s been declared “extinct” in a region there’s a fair bit of inertia to the idea that this declaration was wrong.

wolves in eastern USA are a really bizarre case actually because. okay, so, we have coyotes right? they're everywhere. And supposedly wolves haven't been in the eastern USA for a long time.

however. I'm on inaturalist and gray wolves have presence in many areas across the globe, whereas coyotes are restricted to North America. And iNaturalist maps largely corroborate this

However. if you just pull up coyote observations you'll see a huge variety of animals with a great range of sizes and appearances. Which is like, okay, wolves are still way bigger, the people ID-ing the photos must know what they're talking about

HOWEVER. look at observations of gray wolves, specifically in Eurasia, (where there is no overlap with coyotes) and you'll see animals that make you think. That's a Coyote. The size and shape is fully indistinguishable from the coyotes you were just looking at. BUT IT CAN'T BE A COYOTE. 'CAUSE IT'S IN POLAND.

So basically what's happening is that all photos taken in an area of the USA where wolf presence isn't officially documented are confidently identified "coyote" no matter what even if they can't actually be distinguished by a low quality photo

[montereybayaquarium]

New insights to help young white sharks survive

What can scientists studying white sharks learn from an expert on mountain lions? As it turns out, quite a lot.

Such a collaboration is on display in new research published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. Models that estimate survival rates for top predators on land, according to the study, can also work in the ocean. The research also revealed important safeguards that can help protect white sharks while they’re young and vulnerable.

At the heart of the effort was the work of lead author John Benson. Before taking his current role as a professor at the University of Nebraska, John was a post-doctoral researcher at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, working with senior research scientist Sal Jorgensen.

John’s past work also involved black bears in Louisiana, panthers in Florida, wolves and coyotes in Canada, and moose and their various predators in Alaska. After so much experience on land, John saw working with Sal at the aquarium as a chance to—as the saying goes—get his feet wet.

Estimating sharks’ survival rates

John realized there was an opportunity for a new approach for estimating juvenile shark survival, tapping data from electronic tags placed on the sharks to develop what are called “known-fate models.”

“They’re a very direct way of estimating survival and mortality,” he says.

The technique hinges on determining what happens to individuals—information that has been elusive historically, because of the difficulty of tracking animals in the ocean.

“It’s generally much easier to study animals on land,” John notes. “The animal tracking technology that helped us learn so many new things about terrestrial species decades ago, with radio telemetry and collars, has only recently become available in the marine environment.”

Researchers from the aquarium, California State University, Long Beach, and Mexico’s Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education have been tagging and tracking juvenile white sharks with various devices since 2000. Sal and his colleagues have deployed devices called PATs, or pop-up archival tags, on both adult and juvenile white sharks.

A recovered white shark satellite tag, full of data!

Untapped information

These tagged sharks had already taught us a lot about their travels, but the tags contained additional untapped information. Specifically, they let researchers to know each shark’s exact fate—whether it lives, died naturally, or ended up caught in fishing gear.  John was able to use the data to develop a survival estimate for the population of juvenile sharks in Southern California and Baja California.

Over the course of 16 years, the team of scientists in California and Mexico tracked 37 young white sharks. From the known fate of all these tagged animals, John estimated that 63 percent of juveniles survive each year.

The paper showcases a powerful statistical tool, Sal says—one that’s useful not just for sharks. Thousands of pop-up tags have been deployed on marine species worldwide, but until now, nobody had used their data in this way.

“We were surprised to see that we were the first to apply this methodology on PAT tags,” he says. “This will pave the way for researchers to estimate annual survival, so vital to conservation for many other ocean species.”

Young sharks and gillnets

Of the 37 young white sharks studied, one was eaten, though by which predator is unclear. Six died after run-ins with fishing gear, most often gillnets—a kind of mesh curtain designed to trap halibut and other bottom-dwelling fish in nearshore waters.

“We were able to see when sharks interacted with gillnets, when they were entangled but released, and when they were killed,” Sal says.

From these data, a few patterns emerged. One is that the bigger a shark grows, the less danger a gillnet poses—possibly because  larger sharks snagged in gillnets are better able to fight their way free. The paper also found that more young white sharks died  off the coast of Baja, compared with Southern California.

Thank you to @noaasanctuaries for the graphic!

That might stem partly from differences in the way fisheries are managed. White sharks are a protected species in both countries, and it is illegal to catch or sell white sharks. However, other related regulations differ between the U.S. and Mexico. In the U.S., gillnets are banned within three miles of the California coast; Mexico has instituted a three-month moratorium on shark fishing every summer—peak pupping season for white sharks. Both approaches help conserve sharks, and the study illustrates the added benefits of inshore gillnet measures for survival of juvenile white sharks.

Coauthor Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki, a professor at Mexico’s Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education, agrees. Oscar has worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium since 2002, contributing to research in places like Vizcaino Bay—a nursery area for young white sharks.

“It’s very important to work with the fishermen,” he says. “We want to know whenever they incidentally catch a white shark.”

Another best practice might be encouraging fishing crews to check their gillnets more than once each day, so a shark accidentally entangled in the net doesn’t stay there for long. This small step can cut a shark’s chance of death by gillnet in half.

“We have learned that if fishermen check their nets frequently, white sharks are quite hardy,” Sal says. “If released promptly, there’s a good chance they’ll survive.”

“This research suggests the importance of a collaborative approach to management in California and Mexico, and opportunities to innovate on best practices that can support fishermen, research and protections for white sharks,” he adds.

—Daniel Potter

[earthstory]

Original caption:

You probably know about the majestic Canadian Rockies or even the Canadian boreal forest but have you ever heard of the Canadian prairies? They are a very peculiar landscape and ecosystem found in the foothills of the Canadian rocky plateau. They extend to much of southern and central Alberta and Saskatchewan. The dominant south-western winds (Chinook) bring in a warmer climate than that of north and the mountains act as a shield and give very sunny and favorable conditions for a particular fauna and flora to thrive. In the winter the prairies are barren and desolate but when summer kicks in they come to life! The prairies are a perfect location to breed cattle (cows, horses, bisons…) as they can graze on endless hilly pastures. There you can also cross path with an abundant wildlife like big carnivores (bears, wolves, wolverines, coyotes, mountain lions, many bords of prey…) but also herbivores like deers, moose…

The Canadian prairies are extremely scenic and offer a very wide variety of landscapes that I wanted to capture in this astrolapse movie. Since it really is cowboy and Indian country, my thoughts were to get the grassy hills swept by the wind and lit by the moonlight, with the Rockies in the background. I also managed to capture some cattle grazing under the northern lights in southern Alberta next to the Montana border. Further east in Alberta, you can find the mythical badland valleys (or ‘coulees’) carved by time (Dinosaur Provincial Parc). The differential erosion of sedimentary layers previously deposited has helped sculpt out those fairy chimneys or ‘hoodoos’ over time, which made an excellent ‘prehistoric’ foreground for noctilucent cloud timelapses. One of those valleys was filled with water and I was able to capture it all the way east in Saskatchewan (Buffalo Pound National Park). If you take the road further north to the central regions of those western provinces, the praires’ face changes a bit and you can feel there’s more water there. The green grass, willow trees and countless bodies of water make it easy to take gorgeous scenes playing with the mirroring of the water. It might have been pure serendipity (and also hard work!) but I managed to capture a beautiful display of aurorae and noctilucent clouds at the same time reflecting in some of Bashaw’s lakes as I was out shooting with Darlene and Theresa Tanner, two extremely talented photographers I stayed with (facebook.com/treeanddar/). This scene even helped me get my very first APOD and I am extremely honored and proud! Lastly you can’t be talking about the Canadian prairies without mentioning the stormy weather that can build up over the mountains and slide east potentially giving monstrous thunderstorms, lightning shows and even tornadoes. Even if we wanted to go storm chasing we ‘only’ got a beautiful night-time lightning show near Alix, Alberta, with gorgeous bolts showcased during the climax of this short film.

Whether you are a nature lover, a weather addict or even a star-gazer, the Canadian prairies are one of the best places to enjoy outdoor activities in North-America and I strongly recommend a visit there. The possibilities are endless and there’s something for everybody as my video hopefully demonstrates. Aurorae, shooting stars, noctilucent clouds, fireflies, lightning, bright nights: those are the phenomena that I was willing to capture and combine with some of the most iconic places of the Canadian prairies. Everything was recorded with the Sony a7rII, Sony a7s and Canon 6D, as well as a wide variety of lenses (Sigma, Samyang) ranging from 14 to 500mm. Motion created using the Vixen Polarie in a panning mode and the Syrp Genie generation I 3-axis system. All this content is copyrighted AMP&F and may NOT be used without the owner’s permission (shoot me an email for inquiries at adphotography2410@gmail.com). The soundtrack ‘Steady’ by Roary was licensed through Musicbed and may not be used for any other purpose. Finally I really want to thank Darlene, Theresa, Dr. Jason Reimuller, Captain Te Keoti, Rosalee Schmaltz and Amy Patterson for their generosity and help.

[guardian-headcanons]

Submitted by @drakebg757

While ghosts are the true companions in combat and in life for every guardian, some opt to keep and look after pets and other animal companions.

Titans: Sentinel’s likely being the most dutiful and protective guardians would likely have a penchant for dogs since they have been mankind’s longest known domesticated companions and guards. Many sentinels and defenders gravitate towards breeds like the St. Bernard, and guard dogs like the Doberman. Having a tendency to try to keep their team-mates close in order to protect them, they also identify with Shepherd-dogs and even some smaller intelligent breeds of Terrier.

Strikers being just as stoic as they are swift and fierce may enjoy the company of felines, whether they keep a talkative Siamese aboard their ship, or tame a more lethal big-cat such as a lynx or a lion to guard their homes. Other headstrong strikers may find kinship in hard-headed goats and horned-sheep. Some can be seen hiking in the mountains just outside the city walls with their horned companions, even occasionally wrestling with and butting heads with the stubborn beasts when no one is looking.

Sunbreakers of old often had eagles as their noble companions, inspired by the idea that one can protect and watch over earth from above and beyond the walls of the city, which explains the design imbued into the hammer of sol. Also being the more unruly titans, breakers may choose to tangle with wild-dogs and wolves as their companions while out in the wilds. Some simply keep desert-reptiles whom will find their natural warmth and solar flames very welcoming.

Warlocks: Dawn-blades are associated with birds and flight, so naturally they would be fond of making feathered friends. Some may keep songbirds to create pleasant white-noise as they study, while some prefer a colorful and clever parrot who will happily cuddle and fluff up on their shoulder. Some whom are/were practiced sunsingers may even enjoy the morning caw of a rooster to start the day. Though like many solar users these Warlocks also tend to keep cuddly creatures and reptiles happy with their natural warmth.

Voidwalkers of course have a weakness for the dark and unsettling. Some may favor the intelligent raven whom they can teach to speak and potentially send secret messages without the fear of things such as the vanguard or potential enemies listening in over the radio waves. Some may keep a black cat as their companion of choice. Others may even keep rodents or bats whom are often misunderstood just like them. Void walkers are amongst the most fond of exotic creatures in general though and will often collect such pets to observe and study for fun.

Stormcallers are an interesting bunch. Like their other Warlock brethren many like to keep birds, whether it be a raven/crow or a bird of prey. Others like to keep electric eels for obvious zap-zap reasons. But the select few whom enjoy tinkering opt to create their own pets to pass the time, they will take golden-age junk and leftover parts from tower frames and try to bring their own arc-imbued, mechanized animals to life.

Hunters: Gunslingers like most hunters think themselves to be lone-wolves, however like most guardians they tend to form packs in some way or another. So for that reason Hunters tend to find hunting dogs such as hounds, spaniels, and pointers appealing for tracking purposes. Gunslingers can even be seen with a coyote or a fox following and scouting for them in the wilds. Some even like to keep a rattlesnake tucked away with their hidden stashes as a security measure.

Arcstriders are a more stoic bunch who prefer silent companions. This along with their fast and precision striking skills are their reasoning for the snake iconography. Most prefer calm an docile Snakes such as pythons and boas whom will coil and slither around then as they rest or meditate. The more bold braggarts will handle venomous serpents to laugh at the frightened expressions of onlookers. Though other arc-hunters enjoy the company of cats and other affectionate furred creatures whom will cuddle them and create friction to charge their arc energy.

Nightstalkers much like their warlock counterparts enjoy the unsettling. Many keep arachnids such as tarantulas as pets and jokingly claim to use their silk for their void-bows. For those who don’t favor creepy crawlers, they tend to keep crafty creatures such as ferrets, weasels and even raccoons. Occasionally a void-hunter will care for a talkative African-Grey parrot or inquisitive monkey to keep the emptiness of the void from affecting them negatively while away from others of the light. These are all subject to exceptions especially in cases of guardians whom don’t strictly adhere to a single element of the light. That being said there are also likely more guardians without animal companions than those whom do.

~this was a fight! I love this headcanon and what if we were able to infuse our own light into the animal? Making a bond special to us. Making a beast master sub-sub class~

[arderairadnoan]

Everyone thinks of the city when they think of New York, but I couldn’t live farther away. I live in a place where you don’t go walking out at night. Coyotes sing around you every night. They’ll start by the rivers and in the far patches of fields, but they’ll end up right outside your window if you keep listening.

They tell us there are no wolves here, no mountain lions, but they’re here. You won’t see them easily, but you’ll see the long muscular tail of a cougar, hear the growling noise close to your house without ever seeing what’s making it; you can only assume. Wild dogs roam that are too huge to be coyotes, let alone a domestic dog. My papa saw them chasing his buffalo.

This morning, the fog is rolling in so thick that I couldn’t see pulling out of my driveway, I only hoped there was no traffic. You’ll drive out of it only to drive into a thicker, more dense patch that completely cuts off any hope of sight.

There’s trees all around. Watch your back. Living closer to Canada than any city, even tiny cities, you might run into a moose, you might run into a drug trafficker, but you might run into something completely different.

You know you heard that snap of branches behind you but you’re alone, and you spin and there’s no one there. Nothing there. You keep walking, your mind telling you it was just a squirrel, just a deer in the distance, just to placate your mind. But you know you’re not alone.

And the heat. Summer temperatures hover around 80-90°. But the humidity is what will get you. Air so thick you can feel the excess water in your lungs. Getting pneumonia in the middle of the summer because your lungs can’t handle the humidity. There’s a constant feeling of stickiness the humidity gives you; not only does your curly hair turn into a poofy mess, you can’t breathe. Any bare skin sticks to whatever surface it can. Papers stick to arms, arms stick to tables, legs to chairs, even some fabrics.

But the winter will kill you. Temperatures that can reach -50° with a wind chill can kill you in minutes if you’re not dressed properly. The humidity doesn’t leave; the water simply turns into ice in the air. You breathe in shards of ice with every breath, the air essentially slicing your throat. Don’t think about leaving the house to get in your car without bringing extra warm clothes because if you get lost on one of the innumerable back roads and break down, you’ll die. Service is spotty at best and back roads aren’t always travelled.

My mother says we live in god’s country; we tend to get most of our storms diverted around us by the Adirondacks or by the Great Lakes, but don’t be fooled; just because we don’t get the brunt of our storms doesn’t make us God’s country; it makes us lucky. Because when we do get a storm, expect flooding, power outages, more snow than you could imagine falling at one time.

If Mother Nature’s storms don’t get you, you’d better watch out for her creatures. Because whether they’re talked about or their existence is denied, they’re here. And they know you are too.

it’s all you americans talk about… liminal space this… cryptid that

[visitbigsky]

Please Give Wildlife A Break In Big Sky Country

FEBRUARY 15, 2017POSTED BY DEREK LENNON

In Big Sky, we share our big backyard with an abundance of wildlife. Elk, bison, moose, deer, pronghorns, lions, grizzly bears, black bears, bighorn sheep, coyotes, wolves, raccoons, skunks, rabbits, squirrels, and even birds of prey are spotted in and around our mountain town all of the time. These animals are lucky that their habitat is relatively road free, but when these animals are traveling from point A to point B, sometimes they have to cross a road. If you see this happen, please give wildlife a brake in Big Sky Country.

Learn More About Wildlife In Big Sky, Montana

When you drive around Big Sky Country long enough, you’re bound to see a wide variety of animals that wander into the road. Defensive driving is a must when you’re driving in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – or anywhere else for that matter. Wildlife collisions are possible all year long. While some accidents are unavoidable, it’s your job to drive defensively and avoid hitting animals. A collision can be incredibly dangerous to both the animals and passengers in the car.

HERE ARE A HANDFUL OF EYE-OPENING STATS DIRECTLY FROM

DMV.ORG

ABOUT WILDLIFE COLLISIONS:

A collision with some form of wildlife occurs, on average, every 39 minutes.

1 out of every 17 car collisions involves wandering wildlife.

89% of all wildlife collisions occur on roads with 2 lanes.

84% of all wildlife collisions occur in good weather on dry roads.

The average repair cost of a car-deer collision is $2,800.

Approximately 200 motorists die in the United States each year from car-wildlife collisions.

Whether you’re driving in the Gallatin Canyon for an early morning fly fishing session, cruising up the spur road for a day of downhill biking at Big Sky Resort, or heading south through Yellowstone National Park for a snow coach tour, you need to be on full animal alert at all times. Please slow down and give wildlife a brake in Big Sky Country. It can save your life and the animal’s life. Plus, it can prevent costly damage to your vehicle.

ANIMAL-CAR COLLISIONS ARE SCARY THINGS THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO AVOID. HERE ARE A FEW DEFENSIVE DRIVING TIPS THAT CAN HELP YOU GIVE WILDLIFE A BRAKE IN BIG SKY COUNTRY:

Follow the speed limit and read the warning signs.

Constantly scan the sides of the roads while driving.

Remember that dusk and dawn are prime time for animals to be active.

Drive with your bright lights on to help spot animals on the road, but be sure to dim them for oncoming traffic!

Wear your seatbelt.

Give extra space on snowy and/or icy roads.

Never litter as it can attract animals to the roadway.

If you see an animal:

Slow down and honk your horn.

Flash your lights to alert oncoming traffic of the potential hazard.

Often when you spot one animal, there will be other animals in the vicinity.

Drive safely and drive defensively to avoid hitting animals. If there is an unavoidable collision, hopefully you and your passengers are safe. Remember that your safety is the number one priority. A large animal that is injured can be incredibly dangerous. Call 911 and alert the authorities to any injured animals or roadkills. If necessary stay in your car and use flashing lights or flares to alert other drivers of the incident.