would it die because it's hundreds of miles from the ocean and there's no fish around?
2007-01-31 15:40:20 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
You are basing your question entirely on the misnomer "seagull" which is a laymans term and has absolutely no taxonomic meaning. In fact most species of Gull do not live on the ocean or anywhere near it for that matter.
Excerpt from Wikipedia... Most gulls, particularly Larus species, are ground nesting carnivores, which will take live food or scavenge opportunistically. The live food often includes crabs and small fish. Apart from the kittiwakes, gulls are typically coastal or inland species, rarely venturing far out to sea. The large species take up to four years to attain full adult plumage, but two years is typical for small gulls.
In common usage, members of various gull species are often called sea gulls or seagulls. This name is used by laypeople to refer to a common local species or all gulls in general, and has no fixed taxonomic meaning.
So the answer to your question is the Gull would not die, it would either join another inland Gull flock, hang out on its own or simply fly back to where it came from.... I live hundreds of miles from the nearest sea coast and in an area that has winters in excess of -30C there are several species of Gull that live in my area all year round... Herring Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls. Both scavenge in farmers fields.. often following the hay mower catching insects, or in parking lots at the grocery store and mall, or at any of the hundreds of small inland lakes, ponds, marshes in my area. In winter they all go to the landfill/dump and stay there all winter long taking advantage of the heat generated by the decomposing organic material and the abundant scraps. Gulls are highly intelligent birds and the Herring Gull in particular has been observed using tools and solving dilemmas to get food... I doubt that such a resourceful creature would die from being relocated inland.
2007-02-01 06:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live about 600 miles from the nearest ocean and still have tones of seagulls flying over my head. And not just 1 or 2, there are plenty.
Like margarita said, they are scavengers. They can live off garbage and little lakes, ponds and rivers.
2007-02-01 00:10:28 · answer #2 · answered by Beef 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, seagulls are scavangers. They will eat garbage. I live in the city about 50 miles from Lake Michigan and have seen seagulls here in Grand Rapids. They're always hanging around parking lots of shopping centers.
2007-01-31 23:45:13 · answer #3 · answered by margarita 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It would find it's way back. Birds have the ability to fly long distances non stop. Distances aren't a problem. There are inland species of gulls. It might hook up with a flock of those. I've seen marine gulls mixed in with inland gulls.
By the way. These birds are protected by states and federal laws. So, don't mess with them.
2007-02-01 00:52:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would no doubt thank you, because now it doesn't have to compete with any other gulls for food. They eat anything. I've seen them finish off dog food etc, there are hundreds at rubbish dumps. Go to a cricket match and see how many congregate on the oval waiting for scraps from the crowd.
It would get along fine.
2007-02-01 02:03:28 · answer #5 · answered by Labsci 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You would be letting a seagull lose. that's it. It will fly back to the sea where it belongs.
2007-02-01 00:07:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
probably yes since it is an aquatic animal
2007-02-01 01:34:15 · answer #7 · answered by probug 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋