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Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Photo by NicoleLook
Published on Project Noah
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38.5676, -121.223

Field Notes

Description:

I hope this post is ok, as this animal is not living, but I thought this was fascinating. During a walk along the American River, just outside Sacramento CA, we came across areas with several very large Salmon carcasses. These fish seemed to have been hunted by predatory animals and picked over completely.

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Chinook salmon

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
AshleyT
Definitely, would love to see Grizzly bears and lots of other predators that are up that way!
NicoleLook
Ok that is completely fascinating! There is so much wonderful wildlife out this way. Definitely visit!
AshleyT
I agree! A major part of the process is bears taking the fish into the woods then only eating part of them. The rest of the fish is fed on by insects or dies and is absorbed into the soil, and the decaying releases nitrogen into the soil that is vital for the trees. So the whole ecosystem would crash without the salmon. The Pacific NW has become a million times more interesting to me after learning about this whole process and it's definitely on my list to visit now!
NicoleLook
Thanks Ashley! I was wondering how they ended up on the shores, and now remember that this is part of their lifecycle. It was incredibly fascinating to stumble on to. I found it really wonderful to see this cycle of life. The area was just teaming with birds of all types and then to see the fish which had clearly served to feed many animals. This is a really lovely spot. (Fish carcasses and all)
AshleyT
This is perfectly acceptable :) Salmon die after they spawn, then predators come and scavenge on the dead fish. Completely natural process that keeps the forests of the Pacific NW functioning! There are many documentaries on the whole process, I highly recommend them as they are incredibly interesting!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Hunters & Animal Food Habits
Mission
Flora and Fauna of California Wilderness
Mission
Wilderness Friends of California
Photographed
PublishedMarch 4, 2014

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