Grizzly Bears- Charlotte Rubel

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly Bear

by: Charlotte Rubel 

physical characteristics:

Grizzly Bears are a lot larger than black bears and can be distinguished by longer, curved paws, humped shoulders and a face that appears to go inward. The coloration of grizzly bears is a wide range between light brown to nearly black. Spring shedding, new growth, nutrition and climate, all affect the color of the grizzly. The muscle structure of the grizzly bear is made for strength and quickness. Also grizzly bears are known to have a very long life.

habitat:

Grizzly bears excavate dens when they go into hibernation. They start making the dens as early as September or even late November. The bears usually make the dens on steep slopes where wind and topography cause and accumulation of deep snow and where the snow is unlikely to melt during warm periods. They find an isolated area where they are covered with a blanket of snow to minimize the escape of body-warmed air.

Distribution:

Today, with the western United States inhabited by millions of Americans, only a few small corners of grizzly country remain, supporting about 1,200 – 1,400 wild grizzly bears. Of 37 grizzly populations present in 1922, 31 were extirpated by 1975.In 1975, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the grizzly bear as a threatened species in the Lower 48 States under the Endangered Species Act, placing the species under federal protection. Today, grizzly bear distribution is primarily within but not limited to the areas identified as “Recovery Ecosystems”.

Threats:

The number one threat to the grizzly bear populations are deaths caused by humans. In an increasingly developed world, bears often cross through private lands in search of food and secure habitat. Attractants such as bee yards, garbage, fruit trees, chicken coops, livestock and bird feeders often lure bears close to homes and habituate them, or help them become used to human activity. Bears that become used to living and feeding near human activity may be deemed a threat and then killed by wildlife officials or the private landowner. Often, these situations are avoidable. 

Recovery plan:

In the ecosystems currently inhabited by bears, recovery efforts have included reducing the potential for human-bear encounters and related bear mortality, and providing secure habitat for females to raise their young. Recovery activities include public education, reduction in bear access to human food and garbage, evaluation of road densities, research on availability of grizzly foods, and other study of bears and their habitat. Using the best currently available scientific data, an IGBC subcommittee for each ecosystems focuses on specific actions, with the goal of ensuring adequate numbers of bears and suitable habitat for sustaining recovered populations.

"The first Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan was developed by 1982. In 1983 the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) was formed -- with members from the National Park Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; USDA Forest Service; the states of Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming; and British Columbia -- to recover grizzly bears."

How can you help?
I think by putting more awareness on grizzly bears within your own community can help tremendously. If only person from every community creates awareness within the town, many more people will try and help save them. It is the people that are ruining grizzly bears and their chance to live. We are building on their homes and causing them to have to move to other places where they are not welcomed. It only takes one person to help bring awareness. 

To learn more about grizzly bears, click on the links below:

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearesa.htm

http://www.edu.pe.ca/southernkings/grizzly.htm

http://www.defenders.org/grizzly-bear/threats

references:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Current Status of Thereatened Grizzly Bear Populations and Their Recovery." IGBC Online. N.p., n.d. Web.

Servheen, Christopher, Dr. "Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan." ECOS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, n.d. Web.

"Threats to Grizzly Bears." Defenders. Defenders of Grizzly Bears, n.d. Web.

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The Mexican Spotted Owl - Theresa Stewart

California Tiger Salamander - Amber Sucich

California Tiger Salamander

http://www.arkive.org/california-tiger-salamander/ambystoma-californiense/

Super Salamander Facts

The California Tiger Salamander, also known as Ambystoma californiese, inhabits Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties, and the central valley of California. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) Having a black body accented with yellow stripes, the amphibian resembles that of a tiger.

The California Tiger Salamander is an amphibian, living in grasslands with nearby pools or ponds. Breeding occurs in these ponds, and the salamander resides here as a young larva. During the dry months of the year the pools dry up, so the salamander is forced to enter a state called “estivation”. Estivation is the survival technique where desert animals burrow themselves underground where it is cooler. It is a similar technique to hibernation.

         The lifespan of the salamander is about ten years. Within these ten years, it may reproduce once, or not at all, since some salamanders may never find a pond to breed in. The salamander lays eggs which take anywhere from ten to fourteen days to hatch. Around late spring, the hatched larvae will leave their pond and find burrows (that have been dug by squirrels and the like) to escape from the dry heat in. (U.S. FWS)

As a larva, the salamander eats algae, mosquito larvae, tadpoles, and insects. An adult salamander’s diet is limited to mostly insects. The salamander’s predators include fish, bullfrogs, and large birds such as herons and egrets.   

http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/a.californiense.html

The Salamander is in Danger!

         

The California Tiger Salamander is endangered in both Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties, and threatened in Central California.

 The salamander has been suffering due to habitat fragmentation, or the process in which a large habitat is broken into smaller more isolated habitats. (Raphael K Didham) As a result, ponds used as breeding grounds for the salamander are being destroyed and reproduction rates are falling.

            Urban and agricultural development has been the direct cause for the loss of borrows in which the salamander resides. The destruction of burrows has also lead to a decrease in squirrel and other burrowing animal populations. As the population of these animals decrease, so do available homes for the salamander.

            The salamander also suffers from the use of pesticides such as methoprene, which targets mosquitos. Mosquitos are a popular prey for the salamander.

            Road vehicles also offer a problem for the salamanders. Salamanders cross busy roads as in their search for breeding ponds and pools, but never make it.

            What Is Being Done?

http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-salamander.html

            The US Fish and Wildlife Service has been working with private and local interest groups, and together they developed the Santa Rosa Plain Conservation Strategy Team. The Team has designated eight conservation areas for the salamander, along with some endangered plants. In 2005, the Team formed the Implementation Committee to ensure the conservation areas were created. Relocation of the Salamander is also a viable option, as there are similar habitats in the Santa Rosa Plain.

            Local ranchers are also working with the U.S. FWS to preserve ranch stock ponds and vernal pools so the salamander will always have a place to breed.

            What You Can Do

            There are several things you can do to not only help the California Tiger Salamander, but also many other endangered species in your area. First and foremost, you can be aware of your personal habits and how your habits affect the ecosystem. This includes disposal of your trash and litter, your methods of transportation, and your use of water and electricity. You can minimize your waste output and take public transport or carpool. This also includes simpler things such as knowing the conservation laws in your area and leaving wildlife in its natural habitat.

            There are ways you can be more proactive as well. You can volunteer at your local wildlife refugee center. Organizing and participating in clean up days will also greatly benefit the wildlife in your area. (U.S. FWS)

            With conscious effort from every day regular people, species such as the California Tiger Salamander will have a fighting chance at survival and prosperity.

           
           Other Sources

https://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Accounts/Amphibians-Reptiles/es_ca-tiger-salamander.htm

http://www.els.net/WileyCDA/ElsArticle/refId-a0021904.html

https://www.fws.gov/sacramento/ES/Recovery-Planning/Santa-Rosa/Documents/Executive_Summary.pdf

https://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Accounts/Amphibians-Reptiles/Documents/What_You_Can_Do.pdf

            Sources

“California Tiger Salamander.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 3 October, 2016. Web.    

Didham, Raphael K. “Ecological Consequences of Habitat Fragmentation.” Wiley. November

 2010. Web.

“Executive Summary.” U.S. Fish & Wildllife Service. Web.   
         

“What You Can Do to Help Wildlife and Plants.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Web.