Who would win in a fight between a wolf and a leopard? Are you curious? I know I am.

I have always had a fascination with giant cats and dogs, er, wolves. After all, humans today live with miniature wolves and leopards in our homes just for sheer comfort and companionship. But, if a wolf and a leopard came upon each other in nature, who would win at the end of the day? Let’s find out.

Comparing a Wolf Vs. a Leopard in the Wild

Comparing a wolf versus a leopard is like comparing cats and dogs…and that is exactly what we are doing here. The leopard is a giant cat that is native to both the Asian and African continents, whereas the wolf is a large form of a dog that is less domesticated than our pets today. Leopards are great swimmers and are excellent climbers, giving them plenty of advantages when fighting in the woods or even in their own territory.

Wolves are made of an extremely muscular body and have the stamina to last far longer than a leopard, especially in a battle. Additionally, wolves are known for their bites, whereas leopards are typically known to use the power of their huge paws in order to gain a competitive edge over an opponent in the midst of a battle.

How does a wolf fight?

Wolves are unique as they do not typically find themselves being aggressive on their own or in a one-on-one scenario. This is why when wolves are referenced they are typically done so as a wolf pack. Wolves prefer to travel in packs, as this provides them not only with companionship and support but also with fighting power and plenty of intimidation to go around.

When a wolf is confronted by a predator, they are most likely to call out for their pack if there is one available. However, if left on its own, a wolf will fight similar to that of a dog, as it is not too distant from a dog’s makeup and genetics. Wolves may typically … Read the rest of the story.

Flamingos do live in the rainforest, just not in the middle of it but rather at the edges. Close to lakes and estuaries where the rainforest meets the Andeans is where you’ll find Flamingos in the Amazon Rainforest region. Only two types of flamingos make their habitat on the outskirts of the Amazon rainforests and that’s the Andean and Puna.

The latter is the rarest Flamingo. Here’s a look at the different species of flamingos, those who live in the rainforest, and all the in-depth details you’d like to know about their lifestyle.

What is a Flamingo?

The flamingo is one of the oldest bird species remaining in existence. They stand out from other tropical species because of their unusual feeding habits and vibrant plumage. A common sight in zoos around the world, wild flamingos can be found in tropical and temperate locations, frequently near water and rainforests.

How Many Varieties Of The Flamingo Are There?

Flamingos come in six distinct varieties.There are also lesser, greater, James’ (or Puna), Chilean, Caribbean/American, and Andean flamingos. The tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Europe are home to the largest populations of flamingos on earth.

The largest and tallest Flamingo species. Only in South America can you find Puna and Andean flamingos. Of the six species, the Andean flamingo numbers less than 40,000.

In Africa and southern Asia, there are smaller flamingos. Among flamingo species, they are the smallest and most common. More than 2 million lesser flamingos flaunt their pink plumage, illuminating the skies and shorelines.

Flamingos Found in the Rainforest Region

James Flamingo(Puna)

While the Andean flamingo is slightly larger, the James flamingo is smaller still, being on par with the smaller flamingo of the Old World. It was Charles Rahmer, who was part of a collecting expedition financed by Harry Berkeley James, that first brought back a bird specimen of the species. Several species of flamingos live in the Andean plateaus of Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and northwest Argentina.

James’s flamingo is one of these species.

Andean Flamingo

South America’s … Read the rest of the story.

Flamingos are one of my favorite birds. They’re so graceful and their color palette is simply stunning. However, I was recently surprised to find out that not all flamingos are pink.

There are several different types of flamingos, each with its unique color scheme. If you’re curious about flamingos and want to learn more about their coloration, this article is for you!

How Flamingos get pink skin

A flamingo’s pink skin is not a hereditary trait – this means that they were not born pink. According to expert Zoologists, flamingos are born white or dull grey. So how do they get their pink skin?

Well, it’s primarily caused by their diet. The food that they eat – algae, brine shrimp, and brine fly larvae – contains high amounts of carotenoids. These are the pigments in plants and certain sea creatures that give them their bright orange, yellow and red colors.

Once the flamingos consume these plants, the pigment is metabolized inside of the digestive system – turning their body and feathers pink. Some flamingos are brighter in color than others. This is primarily due to the amount of carotenoid-rich food they consume.

With that being said, the Caribbean flamingo is the brightest. In the Caribbean, carotenoids can be found in abundance. A fun fact to know is that flamingos eat upside down.

The reason being is because it has evolved to do so. Its top bill (beak) functions as a bottom bill and vice-versa. So, in other words, its bottom bill is much larger and stronger, so it has to turn its head upside down to eat to accommodate that.

This is the complete opposite of any other bird. They have long legs that allow them to wade in deep water to look for food. Once they find an area, they take their feet and stir up food from the bottom of the water – then dunk their head in to eat.

They use their tongue to filter out water or any other thing they don’t want to eat.

Can flamingos be other colors?

… Read the rest of the story.

The cougar (otherwise called the cat by many names) has no natural predators. Therefore, these mountain lions face no threat of being eaten by any other animals. Grizzly bears along with grey wolves, on the other hand, compete with them for resources and may come into conflict as a result.

When you look at the history of cougars, humanity is their greatest threat and the only current cougar predator.

What is a Cougar?

It is the second-largest cat in North America after the puma (sometimes known as the Panther or Mountain Lion). The cougar, unlike other big cats, is unable to roar. It instead purrs like a domesticated cat, something that cracks me up.

It’s like a bully coming at you, but sounding like a small child! House cats and cougars both have similar physiques, yet cougars are noticeably larger in stature. They’re slender, with round heads and erect ears.

From head to tail, they measure 1.5-2.7 m (5-9 feet). In contrast to males with 150 pounds(68kg), females might weigh as little as 100 pounds(45 kg).

Why are Humans Considered a Threat to Cougars?

Some U.S. state laws allow people to shoot cougars, even though they are a protected species. Human-caused factors, such as habitat loss and depletion of natural prey, pose a greater danger to cougar populations than conscientious hunting.

Preservation of Cougars

Both recreational hunters and farmers who protect their cattle have long been responsible for the deaths of cougars. Additionally, fragmentation, habitat loss along with human-caused injury, are grave concerns for cougar populations worldwide. Therefore, cougar populations have declined dramatically.

The IUCN Red List considers cougars to be of least concern because of the large number that remains in the wild. Eastern North and South American cougar populations were decimated by European colonization in the 17th century, despite their widespread distribution. Florida panthers, a rare subspecies, are found only in a tiny area of the state.

As a critically endangered species, the Florida panther is being protected by several government entities.

What are the Different Cougar Names?

Panthers, Catamounts, … Read the rest of the story.

Gophers are furry, small burrowing mammals that dig holes to construct tunnels that help them negotiate their fossorial lives. Fossorial creatures live beneath the ground most of their lives. The surest sign of the presence of gophers is freshly formed mounds of dirt/soil.

Gophers, classified as a member of the Geomyidae family, are a type of rodent exclusively native to North and Central America. Gophers, which live in all kinds of soil, from woodlands to grasslands, are small – usually larger than a mouse but smaller than a typical rat. The gophers in the U.S have an average life span of about 1 to 3 years.

Gophers have fur-lined cheek pouches (that extend as far as their shoulders) to carry food and nesting materials throughout their underground neighborhood. Gophers use their incisor teeth to dig and as a defense if threatened. Gophers can close their lips behind their massive incisor teeth, sealing their mouths from the dirt loosened when digging.

Gophers, which are also known as pocket gophers, are a great example of nature’s adaptive ability. This is because gophers are efficient diggers with short, powerful forefront legs that have enlarged claws. In addition, their fur does not clump or cake when in contact with wet soil.

A gopher’s whiskers are unusually sensitive, which makes them quite [ invaluable when moving in low light or complete darkness. Interestingly, gophers are adept at moving both forward and backward in their tunnels with “…tails [that] provide important sensory information” that is needed for accurate, efficient movement.

Why Do Gophers Dig Holes?

Gophers build extensive tunnels underground (usually .5 to 1 foot below the top) as this is their habitat or safe space in the world. They typically build 3 to 4 mounds each day by pushing soil to the surface, although this varies by season and the specific gopher species. As the gopher removes soil, it creates a fan-shaped mound atop the ground that can be as high as six inches and as wide as 1.5 feet.

According to Colorado State University –

“One gopher … Read the rest of the story.

There are many animals that have antlers and most people don’t know this because they only think of deer when they hear the word antlers. Antlers are bones that develop and grow on the heads of male animals in certain species, such as moose, caribou, elk, and deer. In this article, we’ll break down what antlers are, how they are used in nature, and we’ll talk about some of the other animals that have antlers as well.

What Are Antlers?

While most people are familiar with deer antlers, few know what they are. The horn-like appendages attached to a male deer’s head serve several purposes: one, to protect males from predators during their vulnerable adolescence; two, to attract females and intimidate other males. While most animal horns contain hair on at least some of their surface, antlers contain no hair whatsoever; they are wholly composed of bone.

You will find antlers only on the heads of members of the Cervidae family. Most male deer lose their antlers each year between late winter and early spring—often just after mating season—and then regrow them during the summer months.

The Main Parts of an Antler

There are six parts of an antler: pedicle, beam, tine, brow tine, point, and palm.

• The pedicle is where new growth emerges each year.
• The beam is a long bone that comes out of both sides of the pedicle and divides into branches.
• Tines are bony spikes that branch off the main antler beam like fingers coming off your hand.
• A brow tine comes out perpendicular to the main antler branch at its widest point and helps hold scent glands in place so that bucks can mark their territory with secretions from those glands as they rub their rack on trees during territorial rituals called scraping.
• Points are sharp projections at the end of antler beams that serve no purpose other than making buck racks more visually appealing.
• Palms or buttons form at the base of antlers and get larger each year until it’s time for them to fall off. They’re also

… Read the rest of the story.

An otter is a sleek, glossy, dense furry aquatic mammal with short legs, webbed feet, and a muscular tail and looks very similar to a beaver and a muskrat; but are they the same? Do otters build dams like beavers?

What’s the Difference Between Otters, Muskrats, and Beavers?

The otter, the muskrat, and the beaver look very similar to each other, and if you are by a pond or a river, you might mistake one for the other. If you can get close enough, there are definite differences between these three similar mammals.

The Otter

The otter’s body is a sleek, streamlined, athletic build designed for swimming and moving quickly. The body shape is the easiest way to tell them apart from the other two mammals. They are entirely fur-covered with a brown, dense, shiny coat covering them to the tip of their muscular tail.

Speaking of tails, their tail is long and fur-covered, very different than the beaver and muskrat. The river otter varies in size, ranging from 38 to 44 inches in length, and will weigh 30 pounds, but can be as little as 10 pounds depending on their region. You can also tell which animal lives there by looking at the area where the mammal is living.

An otter leaves piles of fishbone and scales because they tend to eat in the same place repeatedly. Otters are also very social creatures, and you will hear a barking similar to a dog as they chatter back and forth with each other. The land where the otter lives will have distinct smooth areas on the water banks, which are called “otter slides,” and they help the otter get into the water quickly.

They use these trails so often they cause them to look like slick slides, and the otter slides rapidly into the water – it’s a great escape route from a predator.

The Beaver

The beaver is the largest of the three mammals. They can weigh up to 60 pounds, look much rounder, and are definitely not very athletic looking. They … Read the rest of the story.

Beavers hate the sound of running water because they think that their dam could be having leaks. If they hear the sound of running water, they work for long hours to locate and repair the leak. This is why beavers go out daily to inspect the dams for leaks or defects.

According to the understanding of beavers, a dam should remain quiet, and the sound of running water indicates structural damage. Beavers are prompt to make any repairs in their dams, and they determine the success of the repairs depending on how quiet the water will be. In this article, I have articulated why beavers hate running water, among other exciting behaviors about these amazing semiaquatic rodents.

What Are Beaver’s Dams?

Also known as beaver impoundments, beaver’s dams are ponds that they create to offer protection from numerous sorts of predators such as wolves and bears. The dams also provide easy access to food in the winter season. These dams are a great modification to the ecosystem, which has led to beavers getting the nickname ecosystem engineers.

I thought that beaver dams looked like a typical heap of sticks from a distance. But getting closer, I noticed the outrageous effort and skill utilized in establishing every structure. The dams are watertight, and they use materials such as mud, sticks, and rocks to ensure that the dam harbors their families and their food.

Beavers are prolific builders and execute most of the work during the night. They are very creative in their construction as they start by diverting the water to reduce the flow pressure. The next step is driving branches and logs in the mud to form a base.

Sticks, barks, rocks, mud, grasses, leaves, and anything else at their disposal are used to reinforce the construction. They drag these materials and carry others with their jaws until the dam has flooded up to the proper depth. Beaver’s jaws are powerful as they can cut a 1.5-centimeter branch in a single bite.

Most of the maintenance work on the dam and lodge is done in … Read the rest of the story.

Gophers are well-known furry rodents who are known for spending time in yards and eating vegetation that does not belong to them. If your property is home to gopher holes or if you are simply curious about getting to know more about gophers, you might be wondering when gophers come out of their holes. Gophers are most likely to come out of their holes during the evening hours and even after sundown, although they are also known to be outgoing and are rarely afraid of making an appearance in daylight. 

When you are familiar with a gopher’s way of life as well as its schedule in your own yard, you can determine when the gopher is most likely to leave in an attempt to find food or other goodies around your home or property itself.

Do all gophers burrow in yards and in the ground?

Yes. Gophers are known for their ability to burrow into the ground in order to live and hibernate in between periods of eating and seeking mates.

How big are gopher tunnels?

Gophers are amazing creatures that can be quite sufficient when left on their own. Some of the tunnels a gopher will dig and build can be up to 2,000 feet in length. This length of a tunnel allows the gopher to move between properties while still remaining safe and protected from potential predators.

When am I most likely to see a gopher in my yard?

If you have a gopher hole or home on your property, you will likely spot the gopher at one point or another. Your best option to view the gopher is to wait patiently until the evening or until after dark, especially if the gopher on your property does not seem very active during the day.

How can I improve my chances of seeing the gopher?

Steer clear of spending too much time in your yard, as the gopher will then only prefer to come out during the night. Use cameras and motion detection devices to send an alert whenever the gopher is … Read the rest of the story.

No. All of the horns on a goat are permanent. They grow as the animal gets older, but they never lose them. Horns are made of an exceptionally hard material called keratin, also found in hair and fingernails. It will never come off once it grows out of a goat’s head, just like your fingernails (although you can cut it if you want to).

What Causes Horn Breakage in Goats?

The only exception to this is cases of severe injury when a horn breaks off. In the absence of any other damage, the horns grow back, but they are always smaller in circumference than before the break. If a goat does lose its horn due to injury or disease, it will regrow.

Many times in the case of an accidentally broken horn, the goat will eventually recover and regain the missing horn completely. This may take anywhere from several weeks to several months. Typically, a young goat will grow a horn on each side of its head that is noticeably larger than the other.

This is known as bilateral symmetry. An older goat will generally only have one very large horn on one side of its head, known as uni-lateral symmetry. Each goat’s horn pattern is unique and can be recognized by the shape and size of the horns.

This can be helpful when it comes to identification if you have more than one goat in your herd.

Horn Trimming

When their horns grow larger than necessary, they are trimmed to avoid injury. Goats will often rub their horns around trees and posts to trim them naturally. This is a matter of personal preference.

There are two schools of thought on the use of dehorning. The most traditional approach is to clip off the tip at an early age, just past the blood vessels and nerves. This prevents them from growing into large horns later on in life, but it also causes pain and bleeding for the animal.

To prevent injuries from happening to other goats or humans, you can dehorn them after … Read the rest of the story.

Wolverines don’t hibernate during the winter because they’ve adaptive features to survive in extreme conditions. They find habitation out of the wind and cold during spring and winter. Wolverines’ fur is dark, thick, and oily, enabling them to withstand water and frost.

Moreover, they can walk on top of the snow, so they don’t hibernate. Their feet are short and have large, five-toed claws and paws. Also, their plantigrade posture enables them to walk on their soles.

They can easily climb up and over trees, cliffs, and snow-covered peaks.

Continue reading for more information about wolverines.

What Is the Taxonomic Classification of the Wolverine?

Wolverines are widely classified into:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Infraclass: Eutheria
• Subclass: Theria
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Genus: Gulo
• Species: Gulo
• Family: Mustelidae
• Subfamily: Mustelinae
• Order: Carnivora
• Suborder: Fissipedia
• Species: Gulo
• Subspecies: Luscus (New World), gulo (Old World) – possibly, vancouverensis and other isolated subspecies aren’t identified.

What Animals Kill Wolverines?

Wolverines are killed by bears, coyotes, wolves, and humans for meat and valuable fur. Wolverine is a fierce predator but has natural enemies, too. Humans are the primary cause of wolverines’ extinction.

They’ve continued to encroach upon their habitat and killed them for their valuable fur or sport.

Are Wolverines Omnivores?

Wolverines eat both meat and veggies. They typically feed on large game such as mountain goats, moose, and caribou; smaller animals like rodents and squirrels. They might travel over 24 kilometers daily searching for meat and can eat dead animals they didn’t kill.

Wolverines have a higher sense of smell as they can smell prey 25 feet under the snow. They can dig down into the snow and kill hibernating prey. Also, they’re sneaky when searching for food.

Wolverines have strong teeth and jaws to help them crush a carcass and munch it. They’re known to eat both the teeth and bones of their prey. Moreover, wolverines are good at storing food.

They use snow as refrigerators to keep their food fresh. Later, they’ll return to their stockpiles and retrieve food when there is scarcity.

 Do

… Read the rest of the story.

A brain is essential for the survival of most living creatures, including humans and other animals. However, when it comes to animals, the matter is a little bit more complicated. There are some animals that do not have brains.

To most people, this is a puzzling statement, because how can such animals survive without a brain of their own? Today, we’ll answer these and other questions as we explore the world of land animals without brains.

What exactly is the brain?

A brain is essentially what is formed when a huge number of nerve cells known as neurons come together to create a big cluster. These neurons, when they act in concert, regulate the physiological activities of the animal. So, how can any animal live if it does not have a brain?

Consider the sorts of organisms that may exist without the need for a brain. They are rather basic creatures when compared to a human being or other animals with whom you may be more acquainted. In order to sense things like food and threats or danger, most of these organisms rely on the most primitive biological mechanisms.

These are the animals That Don’t Have a Brain

Most animals that do not have a brain are sea animals. But, is there any land animal that doesn’t have a brain? Yes, but there are very few land animals that do not have a brain. Although scientists are still hard at work learning about animals that have a brain and those that don’t, we can confirm that the following species belong to the latter group:

Leeches

Leeches (Hirudinea) are capable of surviving in a variety of settings, including marine, terrestrial, as well as groundwater. Leeches are distinguished by having an extended body that is slightly fat and viscous. Several kinds of leeches are predatory creatures, and some of these species can feed on human blood.

Even though leeches do not have brains, they do have neural networks that are scattered throughout their bodies, mostly as a result of tiny nodes as well as … Read the rest of the story.

Blood is the fluid that carries oxygen and many nutrients around the body that are essential for the survival of humans and animals. But what some people might not know, is that not every blood is red. In fact, blood can come in different colors.

Blood is made mostly of plasma, proteins, and other good stuff that are crucial for humans and animals that have different needs, which is why the color of the blood is not always the same.

Why is Blood Red?

Before we go through the list of which animals have white blood, we should understand why blood is usually red. Blood is usually red because it is created by red blood cells. But why are they red to start with?

Well, inside those red blood cells, there’s a protein named hemoglobin (that helps to carry oxygen around the bloodstream), which gives blood its usual red color. However, in animals, this isn’t always the case, but why?

Why do Animal’s Blood Have Different Colors?

While humans have exclusively red blood, in the animal kingdom, blood is not always the same color. In fact, the blood in animals can come in other colors, like blue, purple, green, yellow, and even white! But why? Because some animals have a very unique blend of proteins in their blood that causes the different colors.

This is usually because of the presence of different proteins and pigments that impact the color of the blood. And in some species, the presence of hemoglobin is not existent as some animals don’t need it to carry oxygen. But let’s find out which animals have white blood and why.

Which Animals Have White Blood?

Some types of fish and insects are among the animals that have white blood. This happens because their bodies have to adapt to different needs, which affects the presence of hemoglobin (the responsible inert oxygen carrier protein that makes the bloodred). But let’s find out which unique animals have white blood below!

Crocodile Icefish

The crocodile icefish’s blood, also known as Channichthyidae … Read the rest of the story.

Anteaters are silly-looking mammals that fascinate anyone who looks at them. With their long snouts, slow-motion movements, and coarse and spiky hair, they’re quite interesting to watch. Anteaters live in Central and South America and get their name from their diets.

Did you know that it’s possible to tell anteaters apart by their front claws? These claws, which are also known as thumbs or fingers, make it easy for the anteaters to tear open termite mounds or logs to reach the ants they love to eat. So, what kind of ants do anteaters eat?

Do they prefer one type above another? Do they ever eat anything other than ants? Let’s find out!

What do Anteaters Eat?

As we all know, anteaters generally (and primarily) eat insects like termites, ants, and other small critters living in the dirt. They lick up these insects with their incredibly long tongues — anteater tongues can be up to two feet long! — that they can flick out of their mouths about 150 times a minute.

These insects provide anteaters with all the protein and nutrients they need to survive. With strong claws, no ant-filled log or termite mound is a challenge a hungry anteater can’t overcome.

What do Different Types of Anteaters Eat?

Not everyone realizes that there are actually two main kinds of anteaters: the giant anteater and the lesser anteater (tamandua). The tamandua is smaller than the giant anteater, is most active at night, and has an unpleasant smell. In addition to these differences, the two types of anteaters also have slightly different diets.

Giant Anteater’s Diet

Giant anteaters mainly eat ants and termites, though it seems they prefer termites above ants. However, if they are in areas where termites are scarce, these anteaters will happily eat only ants. They do also like to indulge in fruit, eggs, carrion, and small lizards.

However, they steer clear of hornet, wasp, and bee nests.

Lesser Anteater’s Diet

Lesser anteaters mostly only eat ants. But, if they can get their paws on them, they will … Read the rest of the story.

If you come face-to-face with a snake, you may be wondering just how many times it can bite you before it runs out of venom. For the vast majority of snakes, it’s highly unlikely that they will bite more than once. And when they do, they can decide how much venom they’ll inject into you.

This is the reason that there are so many “dry-bites” where no venom is injected. As they’re shy and scared of humans, snakes will strike as a last resort and then attempt to make a getaway. Unless, of course, you make contact with a black mamba.

Black mambas are nasty, vindictive snakes with the personality of a psychopath. They’ve been known to bite up to 12 times in a single attack! Their venom is extremely toxic, but they will inject up to 12 times as much venom as is needed to kill their prey.

If you’re unfortunate enough to meet one of these slithery assassins, then you have about 20-30 minutes before you die after a bite. Not pleasant.

Can Snakes Run Out of Venom?

While it is unusual for a snake to bite more than once, it is possible and snakes do run out of venom. It can then take from a few days to some weeks to fully recharge their venom sacs. It is not always necessary for a snake to inject venom to kill its prey or to affect an escape.

They are more than capable of inflicting serious wounds just with their bite alone.

How Long Does it Take for a Snake to Replenish Its Venom?

The complex process of producing venom depends to a large degree on how healthy and well-fed the snake is. Younger snakes take longer to produce venom than older, more mature snakes. Adult rattlesnakes can, for instance, replenish their venom in a matter of days, whereas younger members of the species can take a week or more to produce their venom.

It is always best to assume that the snake has venom … Read the rest of the story.

Yes, several species mate for life, but you’re far more likely to find these rare couples sporting feathers rather than fur in the animal kingdom. According to BBC Earth, while up to 90% of bird species partner up for a lifetime, only 3 to 5% of mammals form monogamous relationships. So, who are these die-hard duos, and when we say mate for life, what does that really mean?

The answers may surprise you.

10 Animal Species That Mate For Life

1. Gray Wolves
2. Eurasian Beavers
3. California Mice
4. Shingleback Skinks
5. Parasitic Flatworms
6. Black Vultures
7. Barn Owls
8. Bald Eagles
9. Pacific Striped Octopuses
10. Seahorses

Grey Wolves – The Amorous Alphas

The gray wolf partnership is just as much about status as it is about ensuring the longevity and stability of the pack. It’s easier for an alpha male to protect one mate from other pack members. With pack numbers seen as high as 30 in the wild, and the potential to mate lasting the entire lifetime of the luna or alpha female, keeping other potential suitors in check is essential.

Only the male and female alpha, also known as “the breeding pair,” are permitted to reproduce.

Eurasian Beavers – A Hardworking Relationship

If you’re a she-beaver looking for love, you can’t depend on snaring your partner with one tasty “engagement chicken” and then kicking back and ordering take-out for the rest of your relationship. Male and female Eurasian beavers pair up in order to get enough tree bark to keep each other fed. This hardworking couple also shares housekeeping and parenting duties.

California Mice – They Don’t Dare Cheat

Is that lipstick on your collar?! OK, so mouse arguments probably don’t sound exactly like that but mated California mice are known to angrily bark at each other when separated and placed with other mice for a time. The good news for the calmer California mouse in a mated relationship?

Couples who avoided these little tiffs or quickly decided to forgive and forget were more likely to produce healthy offspring.… Read the rest of the story.

Bears do not usually live in the same den year after year. So, does that mean if you know where a bear has spent the winter, you are unlikely to see a shaggy black boar or a brown sow and her cubs emerging from the same cozy hole in winters to come? Not necessarily.

Great Dens Are Repeat Retreats

Can you imagine a lair used for thousands of years by so many generations of bears that the walls have been worn smooth by their passage? Dens can be used again and again, but not necessarily by the same bear. Fish and Game bear researcher LaVern Beier “followed one bear for 13 years, and he only used the same den two times, and it wasn’t two years in a row.”

The North American Bear Center echos this sentiment: “the den that researchers found being used the most during four decades of study was used three times, each time by a different bear, and each time after an interval of six years.”

How Do Bears Choose A Den?

Since bears have home ranges anywhere from 50 square miles (for females) and 300 square miles (for males), they have a lot of territories to choose from. You’re more likely to see your favorite bruin sticking to spots close to where they sheltered the year before.

Most Bear Dens Have Three Things In Common

• A North Facing Slope
• Protection From The Weather
• Well-Draining Soil

“If It Ain’t Broke…” – Ursids Everywhere

According to the National Forest Service, “Brown bears rely on past experience to choose den sites that maximize energy conservation.” In some environments, like the Arctic, it’s likely that last year’s hidey-hole has caved in by the time this year’s first cold snap hits. So, how far do these Kodiaks, Grizzlies, Cinnamons, or Kermodes actually travel from last winter’s digs?

• Females (Sows): Less Than 2 Miles
• Males (Boars): Less Than 4 Miles

The Ideal Winter Hideaway Starts In Summertime

Preparing for their long winter’s rest is no last-minute job, especially for pregnant … Read the rest of the story.

How long bears hibernate depends on where the bear lives. From mountaintops to tropical forests, believe it or not, bears of the same species living in different environments will hibernate for different periods of time. Some bears don’t hibernate at all, while others can stay in their dens for up to eight months.

Learn more about who’s most likely to be snoozing during snowy weather and who can be seen lumbering through their forest homes year-round.

How Do Bears Change During Hibernation?

• Slowed Breathing
• Slowed Heart Rate
• Slightly Lower Body Temperature
• Lower Energy Use & Production
• No Need To Eat, Drink, Or Produce Waste

Bears – The Super Hibernators

Torpor, light hibernation, carnivore lethargy – there are a lot of ways to say that bears are not “true hibernators.” One of the main differences between states like torpor and the way say a bat spends the season of snow and ice is how easy they are to wake up. Bears can wake up quickly in response to a perceived threat, like a flood or predator.

As scientists learn more and more about their winter denning habits and unique physical adaptations, however, many now consider bears to be super hibernators.

The 5 Stages Of Bear Hibernation & Activity

1. Hibernation – Dormant, But Can Waken Quickly
2. Walking Hibernation – Awake, But Eating & Drinking Less
3. Normal Activity
4. Hyperphagia – Putting On The Pounds
5. Fall Transition – Eating Less, Sleeping More

Types Of Bears That Hibernate

You can find hibernating bears everywhere, from the Arctic to North America to Asia. The colder the climate and the scarcer the food availability during wintertime, the more likely the species is to den up and the longer they do it. So, who are these super hibernators?

American Black Bears

According to Bearwise.org, American black bears “inhabit forests of at least 40 of the 50 states.” So, while inhabitants of the southernmost states and Mexico may forgo their long winter sleep, northern black bears can hibernate for over seven months.

Fun fact, male and female bears hibernate separately. Females … Read the rest of the story.