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BLACK BEARS: A typical
profile of black to cinnamon fur with a white blaze on it's
chest, with a tan snout being straight or slightly convex and weighing between 200-600 lbs. They can
be found throughout BC and live in the sparsely populated
areas, such as dense bush, wooded mountains and deep
forestry. Nocturnal and solitary creatures they're wanderers by
nature, an adult male could cover 500-620 sq. miles in a
lifetime.
While mating takes place in
the summer, the embryo does not start developing until the
mother enters her hibernation due to this delay gestation
can take 7-8 months. However, if she hasn't gained enough
fat to sustain her through hibernation the embryo will not
develop. The mother gives birth between January and early
February. Black bears locate a hollowed out den for
hibernation, but unlike other small mammals their body
temperature does not drop and they remain alert and active.
Female bears produce young usually by the time
they are two years old and have between 1-5
cubs, born blind, almost hairless and weighing only
1 1/2 lbs. For their first year cubs remain with their
mothers who protect them especially from being attacked by
adult male bears.
Known as omnivorous animals,
with both acute hearing and sense of smell, but poor
eyesight. With a mainly vegetarian diet of twigs, leaves,
nuts and roots, they are also particularly drawn to honey, sweet
ripe corn, various fruits and berries. As excellent swimmers
and their ability to fish, they are keen to dine on when in
season coastline crab or spawning salmon which draws them to the islands
rivers & streams.
Black Bears are less likely to
attack humans than Grizzly bears, with fatalities
particularly rare. They are more likely to flee and take
cover, unless attacked, cornered or injured.
Guided tours are available between April -
October by boat, float plane or on foot. |
WHALE WATCHING: There are
different types of whale that can be seen in the waters
surrounding Vancouver Island; Orcinus Orca otherwise
referred to as 'killer whales' are the largest members
belonging to the Dolphin family. They come together as a
family related group known as 'a pod'. Different pods have
been seen to join together temporarily and can consist of
more than 100 whales at anyone time. With three distinct
populations found along the west coast and identified by
Orca researchers as Offshore, Resident & Transient.
They appear genetically different, with subtle variations in
the shape of their dorsal fins, which are more apparent in
females. They do not socially interact and normally avoid
contact.
Offshores - mainly
encountered in open ocean in large groups of 30 to 60, with
a primary diet of fish.
Resident populations
comprise of extended related family, with predicable travel
patterns within territories. Their diet is exclusively made
up of fish with a strong preference for salmon.
Transients do not have
territories and have unpredictable patterns in movement. They
travel in smaller groups of between 2-6 in close proximity
to each other. They feed on marine mammals and prey on
seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds &
other specie of whale.
Grey whales have no teeth,
but long thick bristles that filter their food from the
sediment found on the ocean floor, in particular that of the
'amphipods' tiny shrimp like creatures. The whale has to
surface to breathe and can only stay underwater for 15mins.
It blows out a breathe creating a spout when it reaches the
surface. After the whale spends the summer and part
of the fall in arctic waters, it migrates south and begins a
5000 mile journey south to Baja, California.
Excellent organised tours are a
great way to view these amazing creatures in their
natural habitat, and can provide expert information the pods.
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SEALS - The
Harbour Seal is a common seal, each individual has
its own unique pattern of dark or light spots, with
varying colours brown, tan or grey with distinctive
V shaped nostrils. They can be found on rocky spots,
out of the reach of land predictors, but never
venturing more than 20 kilometres from land and
remain close to their primary dietary requirements,
a supply of fish. As excellent swimmers they can
dive for up to 10 mins, reaching depths of 457
metres/1500 ft.
An adult seal can
reach a weight of 130kg and 1.85 metres in length.
Males fight underwater for their partners, with females
choosing the strongest male to mate with. The female
gives birth once a year, with a gestation of 11
months and produces only one pup which the female
solely cares for, her pup can swim and dive within
hours of birth.
Females have a
lifespan of 30-35 yrs, whereas the males have only
20-25 yrs. It is suggested that this is due to the
stresses experienced by the males during the
breeding season.
CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS
have a vibrant population and can be found from
California to Alaska. Typically tan to chocolate
brown in colour, while females are generally lighter
and pups darker when born, but gradually become
lighter. As highly sociable creatures, intelligent
and adaptable they are frequently trained to
entertain in marine parks, zoos and circuses.
These sea lions enjoy
a variety of seafood and are partial to squid and
fish. Males grow up to 390 kg (858 lbs) and 2.4
metres (8ft) long. They have a distinguished large
crest bone on top of their heads. The females are
significantly smaller at 110 kg (240 lbs) and 2
metres (6.5ft) long.
The breeding season
is between May-June and male sea lions fight to
establish their territory and will hold this for up
to 27 days. During this time they must feed on their
own blubber, so size is the key to winning and
waiting for his mate. The females have a
gestation period of 12 months and give birth between
June-August. Pups are nursed by the female until
they are 6 months. |
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BALD EAGLES: Sometimes referred to as 'the sea
eagle'. This large bird of prey is the most
recognised bird and symbol of the US. Found in most
parts of Canada, Alaska, US & northern Mexico.
Normally found near large open expanses of water
where a plentiful supply of food is available and
mature coniferous or hardwood trees nearby which are
ideal for perching, roosting and nesting.
A fully grown Bald Eagle
has a plumage of brown body feathers with white head
and tail. Female adults are greater in size, heavier
and have a larger wingspan than that of the male
counterparts. However the size of these birds alters
significantly depending on their location throughout
North America, with the largest of them being the
Alaskan bird which may weigh upto 7.5kg (16.5 lbs)
and have a wingspan of over 2.4m (8 ft).
Sensitive to human
activity, Bald Eagles choose habitats less likely to
human disturbance and their sites may be found
between 1.2km (0.75 miles) to more than 1.8km (1.2
miles) depending on the human density disturbance.
Nov -
Feb many birds gather along the rivers of Vancouver
and Whistler attracted by
spawning salmon. |
CANADIAN GEESE/GOOSE:
A well known, common native breed of bird living
throughout North America. They have a black head and
long neck with a distinctive white 'chin strap'
feature and characteristic, melodic honking
call sign synonymous with the larger of the species
while the smaller breed has a higher pitched cackle.
As natural migrators,
flocks of Canada Geese can often be seen flying in a
familiar V-shaped formation and signifies the
transition of seasons. However, in some areas such
as the Pacific Northwest the birds have become
non-migratory due to the milder climate and the loss
of previous predators.
The majority of
populations live close to lakes, bays, rivers and
marshlands. In addition to semi-domesticated groups
that can be found in many city parks and on
reservoirs. They feed on green vegetation, aquatic
plants such as seaweed and grains.
As monogamous
creatures, mating usually in their 2nd year of life.
Females lay 6-8 eggs with both parents on hand to
protect and incubate the eggs for 25-28 days,
passing to the fledgling stage at 6-9 weeks, but do
not leave their parents until after spring migration
after which time they return to their place of
birth. |
DEER: Whitetail or
Virginia Deer. The Northwest Whitetail is only
found in BC, while the mule deer is distributed
widely throughout the province. In the summer
it has a coat in the colour of reddish-brown or tan,
while in the winter it changes to greyish-brown.
However, they have distinctive white fur around the
belly, throat, nose band, eye and insides of their
ears. The antlers of the male (otherwise known as
the 'buck') one year and above begins to grow in
late spring and sheds them from late Dec-Feb after
all the females have bred. The antlers have
individual tines which grow like the branches of a
tree, branching out from each of the main beams.
Bucks with small antlers are often referred to as
'button bucks'.
The male can weigh
between 60-100kg (130-220 lbs) while the female
(doe) usually weighs 40-60kg (90-130 lbs).
Most
females mature at 1-2 yrs of age and enter the
'rut', normally late Oct, early Nov and is triggered
by the changing length of day and night. Males spar
among each other to determine a dominance hierarchy.
Females give birth to their spotted young (1-3),
known as 'fawns' generally in May or June.
Fawns communicate calling to their mothers with a
high pitched squeal 'bleat'.
Whitetails are
able to communicate in many ways, sounds, scent &
markings and produce unique audible sounds.
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