politics and neuroscience

Post by **Vince** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:00 pm

Actually, I was talking about the evolutionary process and the flight response of wildlife (in this case deer). Not really sure where you were going.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:23 pm

The animals and peoples that are open to trying new things either made some pretty significant observations/discoveries or didn't last too long. I wouldn't guess it's a dominant trait.

This is very much a dominant trait. It's how creatures find new food sources during really shitty times. The ones that don't have this tend to die off.

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Post by **GORDON** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:42 pm

Have there been any predators east of the Mississippi that have preyed on deer in the last thousand years, besides humans? Serious question. I can't think of any.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:58 pm

Coyotes, bears, bobcats, wolves, cougars, gators.

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Post by **GORDON** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:14 pm

Malcolm wrote:Coyotes, bears, bobcats, wolves, cougars, gators.

Almost all of those things tend to hunt smaller prey unless it is dead. When were there last any wolves in the Appalachains?

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:36 am

GORDON wrote:
Malcolm wrote:Coyotes, bears, bobcats, wolves, cougars, gators.
Almost all of those things tend to hunt smaller prey unless it is dead. When were there last any wolves in the Appalachains?

Now.

Post by **GORDON** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 1:32 am

Beginning in 1991, red wolves were also released into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee.[40] However, due to exposure to environmental disease (parvovirus), parasites and competition (with coyotes as well as intraspecific aggression), the red wolf was unable to successfully establish a wild population in the park. Low prey density was also a problem, forcing the wolves to leave the park boundaries in pursuit of food in lower elevations.

If they had to leave the Smoky Mountains because of low prey density, then they aren't eating deer.

Post by **Vince** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:03 am

GORDON wrote:
Malcolm wrote:Coyotes, bears, bobcats, wolves, cougars, gators.
Almost all of those things tend to hunt smaller prey unless it is dead. When were there last any wolves in the Appalachains?

Coyotes are more scavengers than hunters. They rarely are found killing anything bigger than themselves even when in a pack.

Only black bears East of the Mississippi and they mostly eat berries and roots. Occasionally they go after fish. A fawn might be targeted, but I doubt they'd be able to do anything with a bigger animal. Plus the fawns defensive measure is to drop and blend while mom draws off the predator. That's probably the only reason a black bear would be able to catch a fawn.

Bobcats might go after a turkey. Again, one might go after a fawn, but adult deer would be a bit much for them. Besides, bobcat tend to hunt by sound and sight and deer aren't very noisy generally speaking.

Wolves aren't much of a concern east of the Mississippi in any numbers.

I hear cougars are making a comeback east of the river. They will probably begin to be an issue for the deer again at some point.

Gators will kill deer, but they're more like a spider than a wild hunter. They'll eat whatever comes along within reach.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:49 pm

Yeah, totally.

Only black bears East of the Mississippi and they mostly eat berries and roots.

I think black bears are quite capable of taking down a deer.

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Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:49 pm

Vince wrote:Yeah, I remember that herd of liberal white tail deer that was really curious about the wild coyotes and decided to go play with them and join their pack. It was so sweet and beautiful!

It's not deer and wolves, but somewhat close. I should note these are polar bears that just woke up from hibernation, i.e. are starving. Additionally, it's a learned behaviour because it only used to be one dog and one bear. The bear brought back friends every year. Total fatalities: 0.
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