Big action in this 9-minute bout of wild wrestling with Lucky’s mouth way open https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI7HmTZSd58. But now the camera is discombobulated by Holly. And you can watch her at work in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRYvdPnIBLU.
A Lily Fan asked if Holly and Lucky huddle closer when temperatures are warmer or colder. Darn, I haven’t kept track. Actually, they spend most of their time in separate beds. I would guess that they hunker down with their heads tucked under their chests when it is really cold, like far below zero, so their muzzles don’t get cold and they can retain heat by re-breathing what they exhale into the straw. We’ll have to notice. It pays to have many eyes and many minds thinking of questions.
Another question that came up today is if Florida bears grow the thick under fur that Ely bears grow in fall for winter and then scratch away in spring. I immediately sent an email to a Florida Lily Fan who might know.
I suspect most of you have seen this video of animal genius, but it is so interesting that I wanted to share it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c36UNSoJenI. When a person sees something so surprising, they can’t help but wonder if there was some training involved. Is this possible? I wanted to believe it and wished I had the whole story—or maybe they’re telling us the whole story.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center