Taiga+Interactions

 As the sun peeked over the horizon in the Taiga, a Kermode bear named Spirit strolled towards the bank of his favorite fishing spot near the riverbank.  “This is going to be a great day for hunting!” he thought excitedly.  When he reached the riverbank, he started focusing his attention at any ripples in the water. Then suddenly, a ripple broke the surface of the placid river. He lunged at the bowfin lurking in the water, and caught it with delight. “Help me!” the bowfin’s cry spread over the taiga, breaking the silence like glass. “Please, let me go!"  Just when Spirit was about to finish his prey off, he suddenly felt a searing pain on his backside. A voice sprouted from the spot of pain.  “Leave my friend alone!” the unknown voice screeched.  “Who goes there!?” Spirit yelled. “And get off my back!”  “I am a leech nerteen, and I won’t get off your back until you let go of the Gully the fish!”  “Okay, okay!” replied Spirit, and released Gully. He felt the pain ease up and glared at the leech as it dove into the river.

 After hunching speechlessly for more than an hour, Spirit gave up the thought that there were any fish and started walking along the bank, scanning for food. He walked, and walked, and walked. He spotted an earthworm decomposing dead leaves on his walk. He walked some more. He glimpsed at a long-eared owl sleeping in his nest up in a Jack Pine tree. After some more uneventful walking, he still hadn't found any more fish, and decided to head home. He kept pondering about why there weren't any fish and fixed his mind to just munch on some plants for breakfast.  Trudging home, Spirit crossed paths with his friend, Soul, who was heading to the riverbank.  “There aren't any fish there, sadly,” he told Soul.  “I have a special spot where there are all the fish in the world,” she replied joyously.  She winked at him and gave him a ‘come with me’ look, and he did, half-heartedly. They trotted towards the ‘special spot’ and on the way, they spotted an Orange Birch Bolete about a yard away from a Birch tree, decomposing the matter to give the Birch more nutritious soil. Finally the bears arrived at the spot, and the second they stepped in the water, Spirit’s jaw dropped. There was such an abundance in the fish, you could barely see the bottom of the river! They dove into the bank and chomped their way through the layer of fish, leaving a tiny sliver of water between the fish. Finally, Spirit thought, I am full for one time. The bears had so much fun, and everyone lived happily ever after. Except the fish, of course.



Biomes Home Taiga Home Taiga Organisms Taiga Food Web Taiga Conservation Taiga Bibliography