I turned on the radio on Monday and heard the last few seconds of a discussion on cane toads. They are famous for being one of the worst invasive species Australia has ever seen. It was mentioned that there are signs of hope with several native species learning to work around their poisons and eat the safe parts. It was speculated that in a few decades that may become part of the solution to a big problem. It was another reminder of how flexible some species can be.
They need to do something about the carp, too.
A wolf dragging a sea otter carcass above the tideline at Point Gustavus in Alaska. Credit: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
This story on wolves shows more of that flexibility but goes the other way for us. The wolves eliminated deer on an Alaskan Island then quickly shifted to eating sea otters.
Likewise with wolves and beavers. It is interesting despite loads of evidence that wolves were predating beavers so little direct evidence existed. It makes you wonder what else goes unnoticed.