Post by grrraaahhh on Mar 9, 2012 8:27:19 GMT -9
The material on black bear and alligator relations seems to be limited but then again there might be some bias in my statement as I have not spent much time investigating relating literature. Anyhow, I figured I would get things rolling by starting this thread and similar threads (think Asia), adding info as I come across them, and also welcoming outside contributions.
Text Extract
Source: PREDATION OF ALLIGATOR NESTS IN OKEFENOKEE SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, GEORGIA,
U.SA. R. Howard Hunt Department Herpetology Zoo Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia.
Also....
"Alligators share much of their range with black bears and have been known to attack them."
"In southern parts of their range, alligators take the occasional bear."
Source: J David Taylor: Black bears: A Natural History (2006, p.83).
and......
"Another writer has given a vivid description of a battle to the death between a wild bull and a grizzly bear; and we have read of several awful combats between black bears and alligators, in Florida; but some of us have yet to find either a black bear or an alligator that will stop to fight when he has an option on a line of retreat. When he has lived long,–say to the length of twelve feet,–the alligator is a hideous and terrorizing beast; but, for all that, he knows a thing or two; and a full grown, healthy black bear of active habit is about the last creature on earth that a ’gator would care to meddle with. Pigs and calves, fawns, stray dogs, ducks and mud hens are antagonists more to his liking."
Source: The Minds And Manners Of Wild Animals.
LINK: www.aolib.com/reader_6052_121.htm
Text Extract
Source: PREDATION OF ALLIGATOR NESTS IN OKEFENOKEE SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, GEORGIA,
U.SA. R. Howard Hunt Department Herpetology Zoo Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia.
Also....
"Alligators share much of their range with black bears and have been known to attack them."
"In southern parts of their range, alligators take the occasional bear."
Source: J David Taylor: Black bears: A Natural History (2006, p.83).
and......
"Another writer has given a vivid description of a battle to the death between a wild bull and a grizzly bear; and we have read of several awful combats between black bears and alligators, in Florida; but some of us have yet to find either a black bear or an alligator that will stop to fight when he has an option on a line of retreat. When he has lived long,–say to the length of twelve feet,–the alligator is a hideous and terrorizing beast; but, for all that, he knows a thing or two; and a full grown, healthy black bear of active habit is about the last creature on earth that a ’gator would care to meddle with. Pigs and calves, fawns, stray dogs, ducks and mud hens are antagonists more to his liking."
Source: The Minds And Manners Of Wild Animals.
LINK: www.aolib.com/reader_6052_121.htm