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Q: Migrating omnivores ( Answered 4 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
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Subject: Migrating omnivores
Category: Science > Biology
Asked by: nycdave-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 09 Dec 2003 21:01 PST
Expires: 08 Jan 2004 21:01 PST
Question ID: 285521
Can you list for me any land dwelling omnivore mammals that migrate for the winter?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Migrating omnivores
Answered By: knowledge_seeker-ga on 10 Dec 2003 05:57 PST
Rated:4 out of 5 stars
 
Sure, I?d be happy to name a few terrestrial omnivorous migrating
mammals. First of all, when you think omnivore, the best place to
start is with bears..and sure enough, that?s where the beginning of
our answer lies.

1 ? Polar Bear (Thalarctos maritimus)

Although the most carnivorous of all bears, the Polar Bear is a true
omnivore, including kelp and other plant material in its diet. Polar
Bears migrate in conjunction with their main source of food, seals. 
Seasonal migration routes vary depending on the location of the bears.

Polar Bear Distribution and Movement in North Qikiqtaaluk
http://www.itk.ca/english/itk/departments/enviro/wildlife/polar_bear_dist.htm


2 ? Grizzly Bear (Ursos arctos)

Much more omnivorous than its white cousin, the Grizzly Bear or Brown
Bear follows seasonal feeding patterns and migrates according to the
availability of different food sources. Again, specific migratory
paths vary between local populations. In the northern Rockies of the
US for example, Grizzly Bears migrate in the fall from the lower
streams where they have been feeding primarily on fish, to the higher
elevations where they excavate and fatten up on underground caches of
pine cones stored by red squirrels. In some cases Grizzlies migrate up
to 60 km between seasons.

GRIZZLY BEAR AND BLACK BEAR ECOLOGY
http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/grizzlyb.htm

PINE TREE RESPONSIBLE FOR GRIZZLY RECOVERY
http://www.idahonews.com/yellowst/grizpine.htm

GROUPS PRESSURE CANADA TO PROTECT SPECIES
http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/1999/03/032599/canada_2321.asp



Then we move on to two well-known African predator/scavengers --   


3 ? Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena)

The Striped and Spotted hyenas feed primarily on meat, however are
considered to be true omnivores since they also eats eggs, berries,
fruit and insects.  Their annual migration begins in May or June and
follows that of the wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, gazelle and buffalo ?
their main source of food.

SPOTTED HYENA
http://www.robstewartphotography.com/facts/Spottedhyena.asp?i_id=421

STRIPED HYENA
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/hyaena/h._hyaena$narrative.html

MIGRATION
http://www.takimsholidays.com/safaris/annualmigration.asp


And finally, to the most widespread and omnivorous species on the planet ---

4 ? HUMANS (homo sapiens)

Some nomadic human societies still migrate with the seasons ? and of
course, we are omnivorous. In Tibet, pastoral nomads migrate short
distances (10-40 miles) between highlands and lowlands with their
herds of sheep, goats, and yaks. In China, herding nomads may migrate
hundreds of miles between winter and summer grazing areas.  Like the
polar bears, some Inuit still migrate to follow the migration of
caribou, seals, fish and birds. In Africa, nomadic tribes migrate with
winter and summer wet and dry seasons.

THE NOMAD ECONOMY AND THE CYCLE OF ANNUAL MIGRATION 
http://www.cwru.edu/affil/tibet/nomads/chapter04.htm


THE YÖRÜK NOMADS
http://www.atamanhotel.com/yoruklar.html


So, that should answer your question. Thanks for asking it. It was a fun search!

-K~

search terms:

?Polar bear? omnivore migrate
?Grizzly bear? diet
?Grizzly bear? migration 
Bear ?annual migration?
Mammal omnivore
Hyena migration
Hyena diet
Hyena omnivore
?annual migration? nomads
nycdave-ga rated this answer:4 out of 5 stars

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