North America nature
Articles in ‘North America nature’
July 22nd, 2009
A partial survey of Pacific walrus estimates their minimum population at just 15,164. A 1990 aerial survey estimated the population at 201,039 in the same region, but the count is likely to have missed a number of animals
Anchorage Daily News
See also:
Canada, Greenland to do High Arctic walrus survey The movement of walrus is becoming increasingly important as the Arctic sea ice shrinks (CBC)
North America nature, United States nature | Tags: Alaska wildlife, Pacific walrus, Population of walrus in Alaska, Walruses in Alaska|
July 21st, 2009
Trees in Europe tend to produce yellow leaves, while those in America and eastern Asia produce red leaves. Nobody knew why, but scientists have now published a theory that could explain the difference. They think that red-leafed trees in America and Asia only exist because they and their insect pests managed to survive a series of ice ages long ago.
BBC
Earth history, North America nature | |
July 20th, 2009
The death of Shaiunna Hare, a 2-year old child from Florida in the coils of an 2.5 metre Burmese python has sparked an official crackdown to eradicate the 100,000 of these predators in the state.
The Guardian
The pythons are also a
severe threat to the unique eco-system of Everglades.
North America nature, United States nature | Tags: Burmese pythons in Florida, Dangerous snakes in Florida, Deaths from pythons, Do pythons kill people?, Snakes in the Florida Everglades, Wild pythons in the US|
July 20th, 2009
New York Times editorial. “Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has upheld a Bush administration finding that the Endangered Species Act is not a suitable tool for restricting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases threatening the polar bear and its habitat. We agree, with this codicil: There are steps Mr. Salazar can and must take under the act — steps that the Bush White House would not — to protect the bear..”
Arctic nature and wildlife, North America nature, United States nature | Tags: Ken Salazar on polar bears, Polar bears, Polar bears and oil|
July 20th, 2009
A single wolverine has returned to Colorado for the first time in 90 years. Wolverines used to be common south of
Canadian border, but there are now only an estimated 250 to 500 wolverines in the lower 48 states. Wolverines were severely persecuted in the past by trappers who prized their almost waterproof fur, ranchers who killed them with poison bait and developers who divided their range with highways and other infrastructure.
New York Times
According to the Colorado Wildlife Divsion “Occasional reports of wolverine sightings were investigated, but wolverines were never officially documented. In spring 2009, researchers with the Greater Yellowstone Wolverine Program tracked a wolverine from Grand Teton National Park south into north central Colorado utilizing satellite-collar technology. The wolverine was the first confirmed in the state in 90 years.”
North America nature, United States nature | Tags: Colorado wildlife, How many wolverines are there in the USA?, Wolverines, Wolverines in America, Wolverines in Colorado, Wolverines in the US|
July 17th, 2009
Oyster reefs in a California coastal estuary have been devastated by invasive Atlantic Coast crabs and snails, providing new evidence, if it were necessary, of the consequences of the danger of invasive species. Half the population of California’s native Olympia oyster has perished since the arrival of these alien species,
Science Daily
North America nature, United States nature | Tags: Coastal estuary in California, Olympia oyster, Oyster reefs|
July 17th, 2009
Scuba divers in the waters off San Diego are being attacked by large numbers of beaked Humboldt squid. One diver described how one of the rust-coloured creatures ripped the buoyancy aid and light from her chest, and grabbed her with its tentacles.
BBC
North America nature, United States nature | Tags: beaked Humboldt squid, Dangerous animals in San Diego, Do squid attack people, People attacked by jumbo squid, San Diego squid attacks|
Some fantastic and rare photos of US hummingbirds in mid flight fron Environmental Grafitti. Image: John C. Stroud