DEAR JOAN: I just lately learn an article a few bull moose in Alaska attacking sled canines of a rookie Iditarod musher, whereas she and her canines had been on a coaching run for the large race.
My understanding is that almost all animals solely assault in self-defense, to guard their younger, defend their territory or for meals. Would you say the moose attacked for one among these causes or is a bull moose inherently aggressive simply because he's?
What else are you able to inform us about moose? Though our Western states have ponds and lakes, that are a part of their habitat, why don’t moose appear to exist in our a part of the nation? Why have I by no means seen one in a zoo?
Nelle Neighbor-Alonzo, El Cerrito
DEAR NELLE: All wild creatures could be aggressive throughout sure occasions of the 12 months to guard their offspring and territories or within the hunt for meals. Moose, nevertheless, are herbivores and don’t have territories, making it much less seemingly they’d assault a human.
The lady and her canine staff had been seemingly within the unsuitable place on the unsuitable time. Mating season has concluded, however moose, drained from trudging via the snow and searching for meals, can grow to be overstimulated. Moose additionally don’t like canines, particularly ones that bark at them. It’s most definitely the presence of the canines aggravated the moose, and he attacked. The canines had been tethered to the sled and unable to flee, so the assault continued till somebody arrived with a rifle and killed the moose.
As for why California isn’t blessed by having these spectacular creatures, it’s seemingly all the way down to our local weather. The winters and the summers are simply too heat for them, even within the Sierra, and the boreal forest that we do have is fairly nicely occupied by different animals.
You don’t see moose in lots of zoos as a result of they don’t do nicely in captivity. Specialists imagine it has one thing to do with food regimen, with zoos unable to match what’s obtainable to the creatures within the wild. With few exceptions, moose hardly ever stay greater than 4 years when put in a zoo.
Though we’re unlikely to be attacked by a moose whereas out having fun with the hotter days, it’s reminder that we now have different animals we share house with. Deer will quickly have their fawns to guard, and it’s coyote mating season, which means the males can grow to be aggressive. Maintain a watch out for sluggish rattlesnakes that might be rising from hibernation.
DEAR JOAN: Different elements of the nation depend on a giant rodent to find out the size of winter and arrival of spring, however right here in Danville, I depend on Lizard Day! Lizard Day is my first sighting of lizards in my yard. Final 12 months it was on Feb. 10 and this 12 months on Feb. 7.
After a protracted winter sleep they emerge to feast in my pesticide-free entrance and backyards. I estimate I've a half dozen in every yard they usually do an important job of pest management. Ever since my first sighting of lizards a couple of years again I ended all pesticide use and have relied on Mom Nature to manage the bugs.
Johnny Johnson, Danville
DEAR JOHNNY: Good job, and Comfortable Lizard Day to every person. I really like seeing them scampering round my yard, too.
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