Mule Deer are the genus Odocoileus and the species hemionus. There are different subspecies of them, so scientists tack on a third name. In the case of California Mule Deer, that third name is californicus.
There are currently 10 different recognized subspecies of Mule Deer, including Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, whose bucks occasionally exceed 400 pounds. The Mule Deer in our area don't reach that size.
A new litter of mountain lions—two males and two females—was discovered in a remote area of the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles recently, the National Park Service announced Tuesday afternoon.
https://bnqt.com/2018/09/04/see-four-cute-mountain-lion-kittens-discovered-near-los-angeles/
The dead animal was reported on the side of Highway 1 just south of Ardath Drive by a passerby at about 7:50 a.m., according to Capt. Todd Tognazzini with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The lion was a “sub-adult” female and weighed about 50 to 60 pounds, Tognazzini said. It had been hit and killed by a car.
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article217921260.html
About 1,000 dolphins in a superpod of the ocean mammals were racing along the shore, jumping in and out of the water while chasing baitfish.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/california/la-me-ln-dolphin-superpod-20180907-story.html
Filmed earlier this year off Guerrero Negro in Baja California Sur, Mexico, the whales rose from the water - encouraging the riders to play with them.
The giant mammals can be seen first approaching the side of the boat, with one allowing passengers to pet its head and even give it a kiss.
Avakian shared this piece of advice with his Instagram followers along with the video: “When the bear charges, always stand your ground. Change pants later…”
https://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article218226440.html
A fishing charter boat off the coast of southern California enjoyed a friendly visit from a pod of orca whales on Saturday morning.
After six weeks in captivity while recovering from third-degree burns on all four paws, the California black bear did not hesitate to return to the woods.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials released her on a remote dirt road about 3 miles off Highway 299 in Trinity County.
https://www.redding.com/story/news/2018/09/13/carr-fire-burned-injured-bear-returns-wild/1282174002/
To help reduce collisions with animals and birds, Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife remind motorists to be on the lookout during “Watch Out for Wildlife Week” Sept. 16–22.
https://scvnews.com/2018/09/14/state-officials-urge-drivers-to-watch-out-for-wildlife/
When dinner is encased in a robust shell, brute force is often the only solution, but ingenious sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have been more ingenious. Some pound clams and snails on a rock balanced on their chests, while others skilfully crack open shells to satisfy their voracious appetites. Describing sea otters as eating machines, Sarah McKay Strobel from the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), USA, explains that they devour 25% of their own body weight each day just to remain warm. Yet little was known about their hunting tactics because the shy mammals stop seeking food when human divers are near.
https://phys.org/news/2018-09-decisive-sea-otters-paws-whiskers.html
