DOCSLIB.ORG

Stirling/Smith PM

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Stirling/Smith PM ARCTIC VOL. 57, NO. 1 (MARCH 2004) P. 59–67 Implications of Warm Temperatures and an Unusual Rain Event for the Survival of Ringed Seals on the Coast of Southeastern Baffin Island IAN STIRLING1 and THOMAS G. SMITH2 (Received 31 January 2003; accepted in revised form 16 July 2003) ABSTRACT. We recorded an unusually warm period in early April 1979 along the coastline at the end of the Hall Peninsula on southeastern Baffin Island, Nunavut. Maximum temperatures remained at or above freezing for almost a week, and rain fell on our field camp on three consecutive days. In contrast, meteorological data collected from three nearby coastal stations (Brevoort Island, Cape Dyer, and Resolution Island) between 1950 and 1992 indicated that the mean minimum and maximum air temperatures for the month of April are normally10–20˚C cooler than the averages we recorded at our camp. Periodic warming to near freezing, probably due to the maritime influence of nearby open water in Davis Strait, occurs in this area in late March and early April, but not usually to the degree we observed. Between 1950 and 1992, additional similar rain events were recorded only twice at the coastal weather stations. In late March, we found slumped roofs over some ringed seal (Phoca hispida) birth lairs and others that had collapsed, probably because of four days of weather only slightly below freezing and heat generated by seals within the lairs. After the rain in April, we found subnivean lairs with melted roofs, and several snowdrifts that had previously contained lairs were completely washed away. Newborn pups were left lying on the bare ice, subject to thermoregulatory stress and vulnerable to significantly increased predation by polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus). If the climate continues to warm in the Arctic, as is predicted, it is likely that rain will be more widespread during early spring. If that occurs, the premature removal of protection offered by subnivean birth lairs may expose young ringed seal pups to high levels of predation, which may negatively affect populations of ringed seals and the polar bears that depend on them for food. Key words: ringed seal, Phoca hispida, predation, birth lairs, climate change, polar bear, Ursus maritimus RÉSUMÉ. Au début d’avril 1979, on a enregistré une période anormalement tempérée le long du littoral aux confins de la péninsule Hall dans le sud-est de l’île Baffin, au Nunavut. Les températures maximales sont restées au niveau du point de congélation ou au- dessus pendant presque une semaine, et il a plu sur notre campement trois jours de suite. À titre de comparaison, les données météorologiques recueillies entre 1950 et 1992 à trois stations côtières situées à proximité immédiate (Brevoort Island, Cape Dyer et Resolution Island) indiquent que la moyenne des températures minimales et maximales de l’air pour le mois d’avril est normalement de 10 à 20 ˚C plus froide que celle enregistrée à notre campement. Fin mars et début avril, il se produit dans la région un réchauffement périodique se rapprochant du point de congélation, dû probablement à l’influence maritime des eaux libres toutes proches du détroit de Davis, mais pas en général au niveau que nous avons observé. Entre 1950 et 1992, on n’a remarqué que deux fois d’autres épisodes pluvieux similaires aux stations météorologiques côtières. À la fin mars, on a trouvé des toits de tanières de mise bas de phoques annelés (Phoca hispida) affaissés et d’autres effondrés, probablement en raison de la température qui était restée juste au-dessous du point de congélation pendant quatre jours et de la chaleur dégagée par les phoques à l’intérieur des tanières. Après la pluie en avril, on a trouvé des tanières subnivales dont le toit avait fondu, et plusieurs amoncellements de neige qui abritaient auparavant des tanières avaient été complètement emportés. Les phoques nouveau-nés gisaient sur la glace vive, sujets au stress lié à la thermorégulation et exposés à une prédation beaucoup plus grande de la part des ours polaires (Ursus maritimus) et des renards arctiques (Alopex lagopus). Si, comme on le prédit, le climat continue de se réchauffer dans l’Arctique, la pluie sera vraisemblablement plus généralisée au début du printemps. Si c’est le cas, le retrait prématuré de la protection fournie par les abris subnivaux pourrait exposer les petits phoques à de hauts niveaux de prédation, affectant ainsi de façon négative les populations de phoques annelés, et donc celles des ours polaires qui en dépendent pour se nourrir. Mots clés: phoque annelé, Phoca hispida, prédation, tanières de mise bas, changement climatique, ours polaire, Ursus maritimus Traduit pour la revue Arctic par Nésida Loyer. INTRODUCTION polar bear (Ursus maritimus). A primary adaptation of the ringed seal for survival in the landfast ice, where seals are The circumpolar ringed seal (Phoca hispida) is the small- highly vulnerable to predation by terrestrial carnivores, is est of the Arctic seals and the main prey species of the its small body size. This allows the seals to dig subnivean 1 Canadian Wildlife Service, 5320 122 St., Edmonton, Alberta T6H 3S5, Canada; [email protected] 2 E.M.C. Eco Marine Corporation and Drakeheath Kennels, 5694 Camp Comfort Road, Beaulac-Garthby, Québec G0Y 1B0, Canada © The Arctic Institute of North America 60 • I. STIRLING and T.G. SMITH lairs in snowdrifts over their breathing holes and remain (1960–75; 1989–92), Resolution Island (1950–61), Iqaluit hidden when they haul out to rest in cold weather and to (1950–99), and Cape Dyer (1960–90) (Environment give birth to altricial pups in spring (McLaren, 1958; Canada, unpubl. data). Resolution Island and Cape Dyer Smith and Stirling, 1975; Stirling, 1977; Smith et al., are approximately 200 km SW and 350 km NE, respec- 1991). The lanugo with which the pups are born, once dry, tively, of Brevoort Island (Fig. 1). From this database, we would probably provide adequate insulation for the pup to extracted mean minimum and maximum temperatures for survive birth on exposed sea ice if there were no predators the months of March and April, as well as days on which (Smith et al., 1991). However, because of the constant there were both trace (defined by Environment Canada as threat of predators, female ringed seals maintain access to less than 2 mm) and measurable amounts of rain, to a complex of subnivean haul-out lairs and forcibly take compare with our observations from Winton Bay. their pups underwater to escape predators until the young We were particularly interested in the frequency of can move independently to an alternative lair. When the occurrence of periods of several days with unseasonably lanugo of the pup is wet, the insulation of the subnivean warm weather, as well as of rain, because of their possible birth lair is critical to its survival during cold weather negative effects on the stability of ringed seal birth lairs (Taugbøl, 1984). In this paper, we describe how periods of when pups are young and not yet entering the water warm weather, aggravated by a heavy rain event, caused voluntarily. We thought that single days of above-freezing slumping and collapse of subnivean lairs, washed away weather, or rain, were less likely to have a significant snowdrifts containing subnivean birth lairs, and increased effect than several continuous days of such conditions. the exposure of young ringed seal pups on the sea ice, Thus, we defined a “warming event” as a period of three or where they were vulnerable to high levels of predation. We more consecutive days on which the maximum tempera- also discuss the potential significance of these observa- ture reached 0˚C or greater, with no rain recorded. A “rain tions in the context of climatic warming. event” was defined as a period of three or more consecu- tive days during which rain was recorded, with measurable precipitation that exceeded trace amounts on at least one METHODS day. Field Methods RESULTS In late March and most of April 1979, we were conduct- ing ecological research on ringed seals and polar bears in Weather Conditions during the Study the large bays along the end of the Hall Peninsula on southeastern Baffin Island, Nunavut (Fig. 1), using previ- We measured maximum and minimum temperatures ously described methods (Smith et al., 1979; Smith and and kept records of precipitation at the Winton Bay field Hammill, 1980, 1981; Stirling et al., 1980). To document camp from 17 March to 24 April 1979 (Table 1). For most the distribution and density of ringed seals’ subnivean of the time before 8 April, temperatures remained below haul-out and birth lairs, we traveled by snow machine and freezing, although there was a period of about four days, used a trained dog to locate lairs beneath snowdrifts by beginning on 21 March, when the maximum temperatures smell (Smith and Stirling, 1975). Predation on seals by were near freezing and reached +3˚C on one day (22 polar bears and other carnivores was documented both March). Beginning on 9 April and continuing for almost a during our travel on the ice in search of subnivean lairs and week, the maximum temperature reached or exceeded from a helicopter while searching for polar bears (Smith, freezing during the day (Table 1). Rain fell at the field 1976, 1980; Stirling and Archibald, 1977; Hammill and camp all day on 9 April, and continued until midday on 10 Smith, 1991). April and in light sporadic periods through 11 April. From 12 April through 24 April, when we ended the surveys in Weather Data the study area, we experienced clear days free of precipi- tation, with maximum temperatures above or only slightly From 17 March to 24 April, we used a standard maxi- below freezing (Table 1).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Alaska Sea Lions and Seals
    Alaska Sea Lions and Seals Blaire, Kate, Donovan, & Alex Biodiversity of Alaska 18 June 2017 https://www.stlzoo.org/files/3913/6260/5731/Sea-lion_RogerBrandt.jpg Similarities & Differences of Sea Lions and Seals Phocidae Family Otariidae Family cannot rotate back can rotate back flippers flippers; move like a marine under themselves to walk caterpillar on land mammals and run on land no external earflaps pinniped, “fin external earflaps footed” in use back flippers for Latin use front flippers for power when swimming power when swimming preyed upon by polar use front flippers for use back flippers for bears, orcas, steering when swimming steering when swimming and sharks food: krill, fish, lobster, food: squid, octopus, birds birds, and fish claws and fur on front no claws or hair on front flippers flippers Seals ("What’s the Difference “ 2017) Sea Lions Evolution • Both seals and sea lions are Pinnipeds • Descended from one ancestral line • Belong to order carnivora • Closest living relatives are bears and musteloids (diverged 50 million years ago) http://what-when-how.com/marine-mammals/pinniped-evolution- (Churchill 2015) marine-mammals/ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-04/24/content_7710231.htm Phylogenetics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinniped Steller: Eumetopias jubatus http://www.arkive.org/stellers-sea-lion/eumetopias-jubatus/image-G62602.html Steller: Eumetopias jubatus • Classification (”Steller Sea Lion” 2017) Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mamalia Order: Carnivora Family: Otarridae Genus: Eumetopias Species:
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of Ringed Seals (Phoca Hispida) in Western Hudson Bay, Canada
    Ecology of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in western Hudson Bay, Canada by Magaly Vincent-Chambellant A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Biological Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Copyright © 2010 by Magaly Vincent-Chambellant Abstract Recently, Hudson Bay experienced unidirectional trends in temperature, sea-ice extent, time of break-up, and length of the open-water season. Predicted impacts on population dynamics of ice-associated species include habitat loss and shift in prey availability. The ringed seal (Phoca hispida) depends on a stable ice platform with sufficient snow depth and a productive open-water season for reproduction and survival. Evidence of ringed seal sensitivity to environmental variations has been reported, but mechanisms involved were poorly understood. In western Hudson Bay, density, life-history traits, and diet of ringed seals were monitored over two decades, providing an opportunity to understand the effects of climatic variations on the population dynamics of this long-lived carnivore. Ringed seal density was estimated through strip-transect analyses after aerial surveys were flown in western Hudson Bay in late spring during the annual moult in the 1990s and 2000s. During these periods, ringed seals were also sampled from Inuit subsistence fall harvests In Arviat, NU, and ages, reproductive status, percentage of pups in the harvest, body condition, and diet were assessed. Strong inter-annual variations in these parameters were observed, and a decadal cycle was suggested and related to variations in the sea-ice regime.
    [Show full text]
  • Walrus Odobenus Rosmarus
    Research Note Ringed seal Phoca hispida fright behaviour caused by walrus Odobenus rosmarus IAN GJERTZ Gjertz, I. 1990: Ringed seal Phoca hisppida fright behaviour caused by walrus Odobenus rosmarus. Polar Research 8, 317-319. Other marine mammals tend to avoid walruses. The prcsent papcr describes two incidents of avoidance behaviour displagcd by ringed seals in the presence of a walrus. Ian Gjertz. Norsk Pularinstitutt, P.0. Box 158. N-1330 Oslo Lufthaun, Norway; February 1990 (revised April 1990). Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) are at the top of are shallow with many large rocks which are sub- the interspecific social hierarchy among northern merged during high tide. pinnipeds (Hediger 1955, in Fay 1960, 1981). At Andreetangen in 1987 I witnessed two inci- They are omnivorous and forage mainly on ben- dents of different ringed seals (Phoca hispida) thic prey, but it is well documented that some apparently frightened by the presence of a walrus. walruses eat other marine mammals (Fay 1960, On 31 July, while observing the haul-out beach 1981; Lowry & Fay 1984). It is a matter of dispute at 2255 hr and mid tide, I noticed a young walrus, whether walruses actively prey upon these, or which according to its small teeth, was an esti- merely are carrion feeders (Fay 1960, 1981). It mated 4 years old, swimming northwards along has only recently been verified in the scientific the shore of Andreetangen towards the haul-out literature that walruses actively catch and kill beach. At the same time a ringed seal (estimated mammalian prey (Timoshenko & Popov 1990). weight 40 kg) was approaching along the coast in Marine mammals are known to desert or avoid the opposite direction.
    [Show full text]
  • Ringed Seal Winter Ecology and Effects of Noise Disturbance
    •• / I FINAL REPORT Research Unit: #232- Part 2 Contract No.: NA81RAC00045 Reporting Period: 1/1182-12131/84 Number of Pages: 83 RINGED SEAL WINTER ECOLOGY AND EFFECTS OF NOISE DISTURBANCE by Brendan P. Kelly, Principal Investigator with Lori T. Quakenbush and John R. Rose Institute of Marine Science University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-1080 December 1986 •• • ABSTRACT Ringed seals abandon subnivean breathing holes and lairs at higher than normal rates in response to seismic (Vibroseis) surveying and, probably, other human-made noises. The significance of such abandonment was assessed in a telemetric study of lair occupation by ringed seals. Temporal and spatial haul-out patterns of 13 radio-tagged seals were recorded from early March through early June in the Beaufort Sea and in Kotzebue Sound. Both male and female ringed seals haul out in more than one, and as many as four, alternative subnivean lairs. At least one lair was used by more than one seal. Distances between lairs used by individual seals were as great as 4 km with numerous breathing holes between those sites. The percentage of once-hourly monitoring periods in which seals were hauled out in lairs increased from 11.5% in March to 17.8% in April, 20.4% in May, and 27.2% in June. Individual haul-out bouts averaged 5.4 hours; nonhaul-out bouts averaged 18.9 hours. Post-parturient females hauled out most regularly and did so in significantly longer bouts during the nursing period than before or after that period. Diel haul-out patterns tended to be weak or absent in March and April but became pronounced with midday peaks in late May and early June.
    [Show full text]
  • Remarks on Eskimo Sealing and the Harp Seal Controversy
    SHORT PAPERS,NOTES, AND INSTITUTE NEWS 267 Remarks on Eskimo Sealing and usually much less than that earned from terrestrial animals such as the fox, land otter, and the Harp Seal Controversy muskrat, wolf, wolverine, or polar bear. Beginning in about 1962, advanced tech- Mostinhabitants of the North today are niquesin the preparation of hair-seal pelts employed full time or part time in the har- and the increased use of sealskins in cloth- vesting of biological resources. Until World ing, especially in Europe, combined to create War 11, earnings fromthe production of a rapidlyexpanding market for skins from renewable resourcesin nearly every major all seal species. For the first time, the ringed region of the circumpolar North exceeded seal, or jar, of the far north reached market incomes from nonrenewable-resource based values which made Eskimoseal hunting industries. In general,the most important highly lucrative. For example,in eastern producers have been the commercial fisheries BaRn Island,young ringed sealssold for of subarctic waters, followed by furs of wild $4.00 per skin in 1955 and $17.50 in 1963. and domesticated land mammals, again pre- Mature ringed seals increased in value from dominately from subarcticareas. Since the $1.50 to $12.25 during the same period. Ex- heyday of European and American northern ceptionally good skins often sold for well hunting in the eighteenth and nineteenth cen- over $20.00 in Alaska andCanada during turies, however, the economic importance of 1963 and 1964. Average sealskin prices in marine mammals has often been highly un- Greenland, carefully controlled by the gov- derrated.
    [Show full text]
  • The Subsistence Harvest of Seals and Sea Lions by Alaska Natives in the Norton Sound-Bering Strait Region, Alaska, 1996-97
    The Subsistence Harvest of Seals and Sea Lions by Alaska Natives in the Norton Sound-Bering Strait Region, Alaska, 1996-97 Technical Paper No. 242 by Susan Georgette, Michael Coff ing, Cheryl Scott, and Charles Utermohle Final Report NOAA Grant No. NA66FX0476 Prepared for the National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Subsistence Juneau, Alaska April 1998 ABSTRACT This report describes the subsistence takes of bearded seal (Erignathus barbafus), ringed seal (Phoca hispicfa), spotted seal (Phoca largha), ribbon seal (Phoca fasciafa), and Steller sea lion (Eumefopias jubafus) by Alaska Natives in selected communities in the Norton Sound-Bering Strait region of northwest Alaska during the 1Bmonth period February 1996 through January 1997. The information, including size of take, seasons, geographic distribution, and age and sex of the harvest, derives from systematic interviews with hunters and users of marine mammals in 319 households in six of 16 communities in the Norton Sound-Bering Strait area (Brevig Mission, Gambell, Golovin, Savoonga, Shaktoolik, and Stebbins). The research was conducted cooperatively by Kawerak, Inc., a non-proft, regional Native organization, and the Division of Subsistence, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, under contract with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Local research assistants trained as part of the project assisted in the collection of information. During the study year, the estimated subsistence take of all seals by Alaska Natives in the six communities was 4,223 seals. Of the take, 86.7 percent (3,660 seals) were harvested and 13.3 percent (563 seals) were struck and lost. In terms of numbers, the regional seal take was fairly evenly divided among bearded seal (36.2 percent of total take), ringed seal (33.1 percent), and spotted seal (29.0 percent).
    [Show full text]
  • The Natural History and Ecology of the Bearded Seal (Erginathus Barbatus) and the Ringed Seal (Phoca Hispida)
    Annual Report Contract # 02-5-022-53 Research Unit # 230 Reporting Period: 1 April 1976 ­ 1 April 1977 Number of Pages: 57 The Natural History and Ecology of the Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus) and the Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida) Principal Investigators: John J. Burns and Thomas J. Eley Marine Mammals Biologists Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1300 College Road Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 Assisted by: Kathy Frost, Carl Grauvogel, David James, Toni Johnson, Lloyd Lowry, John Matthews, Edward Muktoyuk, Carol Nielsen, Harry Reynolds, Glenn Seaman, Lynn Vaughan April 1, 1977 ?.26 Table of Contents I. Summary of objectives, conclusions and implications with respect to OCS oil and gas development. II. Introduction .••...... III. Current state of knowledge A. Ringed seal . B. Bearded seal. • . • IV. Study area ........ V. Sources, methods and rationale of data collection. VI-VII Results and Discus8ion A. Field activities and specimen collection. B. Marine mammal harvests...•.•. C. Bearded and ringed seal food habits D. Bearded seals . • . E. Ringed seals..... F. Pathology and parasitology. VII. Conclusions - Ringed seal. IX. Needs for further study..... X. Summary of Fourth Quarter Operations XI. References and Literature Cited. • • Appendix I 227 I. Summary of objectives, conclusions and implications with respect to OCS oil and gas development Ringed seals, Phoca hispida, and bearded seals, Erignathus barbatus, are major components of the marine mammal fauna of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. They have been chosen as target species for investigation based upon criteria including their significance in the ecosystem, importance to people residing along the coast and considerations of timeliness, feasibility and applica­ bility to OCS requirements.
    [Show full text]
  • Steller Sea Lion,Eumetopias Jubatus
    COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Steller Sea Lion Eumetopias jubatus in Canada SPECIAL CONCERN 2013 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2013. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Steller Sea Lion Eumetopias jubatus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 54 pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm). Previous report(s): COSEWIC. 2003. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Steller Sea Lion Eumetopias jubatus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 50 p. BIGG, M.A. 1987. COSEWIC status report on the Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 63 p. Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Andrew W. Trites for writing the status report on the Steller Sea Lion, Eumetopias jubatus, in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This report was overseen and edited by Jane Watson and Hal Whitehead, Co-chairs of the COSEWIC Marine Mammals Specialist Subcommittee. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur L’otarie de Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) au Canada. Cover illustration/photo: Steller Sea Lion — photo: A.W. Trites.
    [Show full text]
  • Ringed Seal (Pusa Hispida) Seasonal Movements, Diving, and Haul-Out Behavior in the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering Seas (2011–2017)
    Received: 13 September 2019 | Revised: 30 March 2020 | Accepted: 1 April 2020 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6302 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Ringed seal (Pusa hispida) seasonal movements, diving, and haul-out behavior in the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering Seas (2011–2017) Andrew L. Von Duyke1 | David C. Douglas2 | Jason K. Herreman1 | Justin A. Crawford3 1Department of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough, Barrow, AK, USA Abstract 2U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Continued Arctic warming and sea-ice loss will have important implications for the Center, Juneau, AK, USA conservation of ringed seals, a highly ice-dependent species. A better understanding 3Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Arctic Marine Mammal Program, Fairbanks, of their spatial ecology will help characterize emerging ecological trends and inform AK, USA management decisions. We deployed satellite transmitters on ringed seals in the Correspondence summers of 2011, 2014, and 2016 near Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, to moni- Andrew L. Von Duyke, North Slope Borough, tor their movements, diving, and haul-out behavior. We present analyses of tracking Department of Wildlife Management, P.O. Box 69, Barrow, AK 99723, USA. and dive data provided by 17 seals that were tracked until at least January of the Email: [email protected] following year. Seals mostly ranged north of Utqiaġvik in the Beaufort and Chukchi Present address Seas during summer before moving into the southern Chukchi and Bering Seas dur- Jason K. Herreman, Alaska Department of ing winter. In all seasons, ringed seals occupied a diversity of habitats and spatial Fish and Game, Homer, AK, USA distributions, from near shore and localized, to far offshore and wide-ranging in drift- Funding information ing sea ice.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Lions & Seals
    Sea Lions & Seals Jamie Barry, Maggie Haas, & Olivia Sanchez Pinnipedia Pinnipedia (“Seals”) All true seals and sea lions belong to the clade Pinnipedia. This clade is comprised of three families - Odobenidae (Walruses), Otariidae (Eared Seals), and Phocidae (True Seals). The term “seal” commonly refers to the order Pinnipedia, Phocidae (True Seals) Otariidae (Eared Seals) Odobenidae however both sea lions and Ringed seals, harbor Fur seals, sea lions Walruses seals, spotted seals, walruses are also classified as elephant seals, other Pinnipeds. true seals From the Latin pinna, feather or wing, and ped-, foot Who are the Pinnipeds? Photo by: http://www.pressherald.com/wp- There are currently 33 species of extant content/uploads/2016/03/811802_US_NEWS_ENV-SEALIONS_1_LA.jpg pinnipeds, each one exhibiting a few notable characteristics that distinguish them from other marine mammals. ● They are carnivorous aquatic placental mammals that heavily rely on the use of flipper-like front feet for swimming. ● The hands and feet of the pinniped are elongated and their digits are connected by webs of skin to act as flippers. ● Unlike most other marine species, the Pinnipeds are adapted to feed on fish, pinniped tail is very basic in function, as its mollusks, as well as other forms of marine steering is controlled by backward-facing hind mammal life. feet. Walruses ● These marine mammals are extremely sociable and Odobenus rosmarus can usually be found loudly bellowing and snorting at one another ● Only Native Americans are currently allowed to hunt walruses, as the species' survival was threatened by past overhunting ● Can live up to 40 years in the wild ● Can weigh up to 1.5 tons 6 ● Adult walruses are easily recognized by their prominent tusks, whiskers, and bulkiness ● This species is subdivided into three subspecies ○ The Atlantic walrus, the Pacific walrus, and the O.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Human Menstrual Odors Other Scents and Ringed Seal Vocalizations on the Polar Bear
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1980 The effects of human menstrual odors other scents and ringed seal vocalizations on the polar bear Bruce S. Cushing The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Cushing, Bruce S., "The effects of human menstrual odors other scents and ringed seal vocalizations on the polar bear" (1980). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 7257. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/7257 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1976 Th is is an unpublished m a n u sc r ip t in w hich c o p y r ig h t sub ­ s i s t s . Any further r e p r in t in g of it s contents must be approved BY THE AUTHOR. MANSFIELD L ibrary UNIVERSIY^FgH^TANA Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE EFFECTS OF HUMAN MENSTRUAL ODORS, OTHER SCENTS, AND RINGED SEAL VOCALIZATIONS ON THE POLAR BEAR By Bruce S. Cushing B.S., Arizona State University, 1977 Presented in partial fulfillm ent of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 1980 Approved by: Chairman^:^oafd of Examiners Dean, Graduate School Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Taxa for Which MIL Has Images
    LIST OF 27 ORDERS, 163 FAMILIES, 887 GENERA, AND 2064 SPECIES IN MAMMAL IMAGES LIBRARY 31 JULY 2021 AFROSORICIDA (9 genera, 12 species) CHRYSOCHLORIDAE - golden moles 1. Amblysomus hottentotus - Hottentot Golden Mole 2. Chrysospalax villosus - Rough-haired Golden Mole 3. Eremitalpa granti - Grant’s Golden Mole TENRECIDAE - tenrecs 1. Echinops telfairi - Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec 2. Hemicentetes semispinosus - Lowland Streaked Tenrec 3. Microgale cf. longicaudata - Lesser Long-tailed Shrew Tenrec 4. Microgale cowani - Cowan’s Shrew Tenrec 5. Microgale mergulus - Web-footed Tenrec 6. Nesogale cf. talazaci - Talazac’s Shrew Tenrec 7. Nesogale dobsoni - Dobson’s Shrew Tenrec 8. Setifer setosus - Greater Hedgehog Tenrec 9. Tenrec ecaudatus - Tailless Tenrec ARTIODACTYLA (127 genera, 308 species) ANTILOCAPRIDAE - pronghorns Antilocapra americana - Pronghorn BALAENIDAE - bowheads and right whales 1. Balaena mysticetus – Bowhead Whale 2. Eubalaena australis - Southern Right Whale 3. Eubalaena glacialis – North Atlantic Right Whale 4. Eubalaena japonica - North Pacific Right Whale BALAENOPTERIDAE -rorqual whales 1. Balaenoptera acutorostrata – Common Minke Whale 2. Balaenoptera borealis - Sei Whale 3. Balaenoptera brydei – Bryde’s Whale 4. Balaenoptera musculus - Blue Whale 5. Balaenoptera physalus - Fin Whale 6. Balaenoptera ricei - Rice’s Whale 7. Eschrichtius robustus - Gray Whale 8. Megaptera novaeangliae - Humpback Whale BOVIDAE (54 genera) - cattle, sheep, goats, and antelopes 1. Addax nasomaculatus - Addax 2. Aepyceros melampus - Common Impala 3. Aepyceros petersi - Black-faced Impala 4. Alcelaphus caama - Red Hartebeest 5. Alcelaphus cokii - Kongoni (Coke’s Hartebeest) 6. Alcelaphus lelwel - Lelwel Hartebeest 7. Alcelaphus swaynei - Swayne’s Hartebeest 8. Ammelaphus australis - Southern Lesser Kudu 9. Ammelaphus imberbis - Northern Lesser Kudu 10. Ammodorcas clarkei - Dibatag 11. Ammotragus lervia - Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) 12.
    [Show full text]