And the MYLF was part of the black bears diet as well:
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx ... ntID=40357
I'm not disagreeing with any of your points, Hobbes. But if Griz were to return, I'd still bring a can.Predators - Historically, MYLF were very abundant across much of their native range, and as
such were an important prey item for a diversity of predators. Native vertebrate predators known
to prey on MYLF adults, juveniles, and tadpoles include three species of garter snakes; western
terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans); common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis);
Sierra garter snake (Thamnophis couchii); several bird species (Brewer’s blackbird (Euphagus
cyanocephalus); Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana); common raven (Corvus corax); and
at least two mammals (black bear (Ursus americanus); coyote (Canis latrans)) (Knapp 2005;
Mathews et al. 2002; Feldman and Wilkinson 2000; Jennings et al. 1992).
Cannibalism by adults on juveniles and tadpoles has also been observed occasionally (Heller
1960). Some species of large aquatic invertebrates are known to prey on MYLF tadpoles and
juveniles, including several species of predacious diving beetles (Family Dytiscidae) and
dragonflies and damselflies (Suborder Anisoptera and Zygoptera, respectively) (Feldman and
Wilkinson 2000). Predation on eggs is thought to be relatively rare. However, Sierra newts
(Taricha sierrae) are known to prey on R. sierrae egg masses, and cannibalism of eggs by
MYLF tadpoles may be a common occurrence in some habitats (Vredenburg 2000).
Russ