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Chaparral: Animals
A large variety of animals live in the California Chaparral. Animals in the Chaparral Biome are adapted to hot and dry weather. The animals living in that area require very little water to survive. Most of the animals are nocturnal and only active at night. It is too hot for them to be active during the day. Although Reptiles seem to prosper in the high temperatures. Lizards and snakes are the most commonly found reptiles in the California Biome. Some animals that live in the California Chaparral are Coyotes, horned toads, lady bugs, honey bees and praying mantis. These are just a few examples of the animals that live in the diverse Biosphere. The California Grizzly Bear is one of the animals that live in the California Chaparral.The species is very close to going extinct. Human interference critically impacts the bears that live in that ecosystem. The Chaparral Biome has enough resources to support five hundred California Grizzly bears. Only 20 bears remain in the California Chaparral. This is due to the fact that there bears were fiercely hunted and killed between 1769 and 1918. Settlers found it “fun” to kill the bears and practiced hunting them as a sport. The Grizzly can weigh between 220 pounds or 600 pounds depending on its age and height. The biggest Grizzly caught was killed in 1866, and weighed an astonishing 2,200 pounds! Before the European settlers arrived there was an estimate of 10,000 grizzlies living in California. The California Grizzly bear is an omnivore. Their diet includes seeds, berries, roots, certain species of grass, fungi, deer, elk, fish, and dead animals and insects. The Grizzly tends to eat the most food in preparation for hibernation. During this period of time they gain more than three pounds a day! Wildlife services are making an effort to increase the California Grizzly population. Snakes and Lizards are also commonly found in the California Biome. One species of lizard found is the Coast Horned lizard.They range between 2.5- 4.5 inches. The Coast Horned lizards prefer warm climates and are only active during the day. They become inactive when the temperature changes too drastically between hot and cold. When the temperature rises too much, the lizards burrow holes in the ground for protection from the sun. When the temperature becomes too cold the lizards hide under rocks and stones to hibernate. The Coast Horned Lizards diet consist of Harvester ants but the species of ants are under attack by invasive species. The lizards activity is the highest between the months of April and August, This is due to the fact that there are more harvester ants during that period of time. When Coast Horned Lizards are threatened by predators they shoot snot and blood from their eyes as a defense mechanism. Some of the Lizards predators include Coyotes and Foxes. Another defense mechanism Horned lizards have is Camouflage! They are able to escape predators using both technics. A horned lizard need bare soil to survive, as well as laying their eggs. That species of reptile cannot tolerate weeds because it’s very difficult for them to move in a productive manner. The American Coyote is yet another animal to reside in the California Chaparral. They are known for their cleverness and intelligence. A Coyotes diet consist of rats, rodents frogs, fish, snakes, insects and sometimes even deer! They also consume grass and fruits. Coyotes have learned to adapt quickly and they use their keen senses to survive. They create packs to hunt for food effectively. A Coyote is a very good swimmer as well, but they are unable to climb. Coyotes can run as fast as 40 miles per hour which is quite useful when they hunt. They raise their young in the Spring and usually give birth to a litter of three to twelve pups. The average life span of a Coyote living in the wild is 14 years. They weigh between 20 and 50 pounds depending on their gender and size. Coyotes are nocturnal animals, and that is partly the reason you only hear them at night. They communicate their location to other Coyotes by howling. The Coyote species is prospering and adapting well to the effects of human contact. They are one of the most dominant terrestrial animals, with humans and wolves being their greatest threats. Coyotes are found in many other biomes and habitats. They can live in cities and developed areas as well. Sites http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Canis_latrans/ http://www.californiachaparral.com/chaparralfacts.html http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/coyote/ http://www.livescience.com/27976-coyotes.html http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/products/htms/snake.aspx http://www.laspilitas.com/reptiles_and_Amphibians/Lizards/Horned_Lizard/horned_lizard.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/dog/Coyoteprintout.shtml http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-greenwald-california-grizzlies-20140811-story.html https://www.vchistory.org/exhibits/grizzly-bear/ |