![]() A wide diversity of Chinook salmon stocks were consumed, many of which are also at risk. The relatively high species diversity in winter suggested a possible lack of Chinook salmon, probably due to seasonally lower densities, based on SRKW’s proclivity to selectively consume this species in other seasons. Other salmon species and non-salmonid fishes, also made substantial dietary contributions. Chinook salmon were identified as an important prey item year-round, averaging ~50% of their diet in the fall, increasing to 70–80% in the mid-winter/early spring, and increasing to nearly 100% in the spring. Using visual and genetic species identification for prey remains and genetic approaches for fecal samples, we characterized the diet of the SRKWs in fall, winter, and spring. To address this data gap, we collected feces and prey remains from October to May 2004–2017 in both the Salish Sea and outer coast waters. During other times of the year, when occurrence patterns include other portions of their range, their diet remains largely unknown. Previous studies have shown that their summer diet in inland waters consists primarily of Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), despite that species’ rarity compared to some other salmonids. Insufficient prey has been identified as a factor limiting their recovery, so a clear understanding of their seasonal diet is a high conservation priority. Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) ( Orcinus orca) are an endangered population occurring primarily along the outer coast and inland waters of Washington and British Columbia. Wildlife & pest infestation is not good for your cute pets (or attracting other cute animals to hang out), so we highly recommend contacting us if you think you have a wildlife or pest-related problem.Understanding diet is critical for conservation of endangered predators. Regardless of the theories, cute animals are cute animals, and we are gifted with the ability to appreciate that! This would also explain why we find some creatures such as insects repulsive. Cats also hung around us for thousands of years, especially when we started agriculture- they would eat up any rodents or insects trying to eat our crops! Think about it: if someone saw animals as evil and attacked all of them, the animals would fight back, so that person would be more likely to die early and not pass on their genes.īy viewing other types of creatures as “cute & adorable,” we become more cooperative with them.įor example, wolves evolved alongside us and turned into dogs. The second dominant theory about why we find many types of animals “cute,” in addition to the human infant theory, is that humans that saw animals to be cute were more likely to act kindly towards those animals, which made them more likely to survive. It might not have any deep meaning to it other than it just “happening” via evolution. This would also explain why some adult creatures appear cute to us, such as pandas. It could just be a function of the brain to see features which appear cute, and then want to help these creatures! In the same way that we feel a desire to take care of human infants, it’s possible that animals with cute, baby-like features also trigger that same desire. Theory #1: They Remind Us of Human Infants There are a couple different theories, and they both could be working to influence our behavior. We know many of the “cute” features that make us find pets (and babies) so adorable, but why do we find these features cute compared to other features? Science has also shown that when humans (or other animals) are around a creature deemed “cute,” they are more likely to act less aggressive, and more likely to want to take care of that creature. Human babies have many of these similar traits as well, which is one reason we find them quite cute! Some of these features include soft skin, big & rounded eyes, large head + small face, small ears, and chubby cheeks. A baby dog which is more cute is more likely to thrive than a baby dog considered “not cute.” Science has proven that certain genetic features make some baby animals more likely to survive than others. You can also listen to the audio-only podcast by pressing the download button above. Our video version of this post has super cute animal footage, which you can review right HERE. Why is it that baby animals are particularly cute, just like baby humans? Why is it that we find animals to be so adorable, such so that we go out of our way to domesticate and take care of them? study, ⅔ American homes have some type of pet! Human favorites include cats & dogs, which are now so common. It’s no secret that most people find many types of animals irresistibly cute.
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