Ben Goldfarb wrote last night that he had just met the author of a cool paper on the thermoregulation of bears. Apparently the animals have a lot of stored fat just in case food gets scarce and as the climate heats up they need to cool off regularly in ponds. And guess what just happens to make some of the awesome ponds they use?
American black bear thermoregulation at natural and artificial water sources
Michael A. Sawaya, Alan B. Ramsey, and Philip W. Ramsey
He sent along a great national geographic video of the pond soak phenomenon. But as it happens I already had footage of a black bear bathing in a beaver pond that was sent to me a few years ago by the VP of the Sierra Foothills Audubon. This bear is enjoying the beaver pond by his house.
Willie Hall of SFAS filmed this bear taking a dip in the beaver pond hear his house in Grass Valley. Apparently he’s enjoying a fish dinner with his swim. Because Beavers Benefit Bears.
Ben was thrilled to see it and is sharing it with the author because he thinks he’d love to see it.
Of course beavers help bears. Why wouldn’t they?
