Spiritstone

2023 Artwork

NOBILITY

While bears do not live in extended family groups or join in hunts, they can co-exist in very close proximity to each other and in fact form alliances and friendships – some adult bears have even been known to mentor younger unrelated bears; young unrelated subadults hang around in pairs and even groups (likely because there is strength in numbers).

The bears of a region are usually familiar with one another and meetings consist of complex social exchanges. Some bears like each other and other simply don’t tolerate one another in their respective home ranges – not unlike people’s relationships with each other.

CONTENTMENT

Elephants have a gestation period of 21 to 22 months, which usually occurs during the wet season. These creatures are pregnant for such a long time because they give birth to such large babies. Elephant calves weigh around 260 pounds at birth and are 3 inches in size, making them much larger than other animal babies.

Elephant social bonds are some of the strongest in the animal kingdom. They form strong family units and stay together for the rest of their lives. These magnificent animals have been observed mourning their dead, demonstrating a strong emotional bond between them.

This behavioral characteristic allows them to guide and protect one another, as well as their young. These elephants are usually relatives who grew up together, and they form lifelong friendships within those groups. The use of trunks to greet each other.

COURAGE

Tiger cubs begin eating meat at anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks old, depending on the species. They will not be competent hunters until they reach around a year and a half old and will rely on their mothers kills.

Like humans with brown eyes, tiger cubs are born with milky blue eyes. As they develop their eyes will slowly change to their signature gold color.

REGAL

Did you know that Elk bugle? During the rut they make a low pitched growl that rises to a high-pitched scream.

The average male stands nearly 5 ft. tall at the shoulder, and weighs over 700 lbs., but they can grow much larger. The largest subspecies can surpass 1,300 lbs. or more.

Males have large antlers that can be nearly 4 ft. in length. These antlers differ from horns because they are made of bone, and are shed yearly. Horns have a sheath of keratin, a blood vessel filled core, and are never shed.

SERENITY

Tigers are a symbol of power, always preferring a direct fight with a clear outcome. An adult tiger can grow as long as 13 feet (4m) and weigh up to 650 pounds (296kgs).

The females are usually smaller than the males. The size of a tiger depends on the subspecies and the geographical location of its habitat.

TRANQUILITY

Leopards are astoundingly strong. They are pound for pound the strongest of the big cats. They are able to climb trees, even when carrying heavy prey, and often choose to rest on tree branches during the day. One reason why leopards sometimes take their prey up in the trees is to ensure lions or hyenas can’t steal them.

Leopards are renowned for their agility. They run up to 58km/h and can leap 6m horizontally and 3m vertically. They are also very strong swimmers.

LOYAL

One of Canada's most iconic mammals, the moose is known for its incredible size and captivating appearance. They are generally solitary animals but also territorial and will charge if threatened.

During the day, moose will laze about in the shade and nap for short bouts.

PLAYFUL

This playful lynx cub cannot survive without its mother for the first year of its life. Reaching full maturity at two years. Lynxes raise offspring in a natural hidden lair like a tree cave. Instead of pursuing their prey, lynxes track and ambush them.

GUARDIAN

Wolves are complex, highly intelligent animals who are caring, playful and devoted to family. Wolves are gregarious animals who mostly live in packs. A pack is made when a male and a female wolf meet each other and stay together. As a mated pair, they find a territory to settle in and raise cubs most years.

NURTURE

Zebras are beautiful, hardy creatures that are built for survival in harsh environments. These captivating creatures can take on a lion, but are being threatened by human activity. Zebra are brave animals that care deeply about their group members. When a group member is wounded by a predator attack, other zebras will come to their defense, circling the injured individual and attempting to drive the predator(s) away.

Mother zebra are very caring and protective mothers. Infant zebras (foals) are able to stand, walk and suckle shortly after birth, and will continue to drink their mother’s milk for the first year of life.

STRENGTH

To fight for their dominance or mating rights, the rams use their horns as a weapon or symbol of status in epic battles across the Rocky Mountains. The male and female herds live separately. The female-only herds live in nursery herds having adult ewes and labs of both genders. The male-only herds usually have 5-50 rams at one time.

The males charge as fast as 20-40 mph. They rear up on their hind legs, ram their large horns, and hurl each other during the fight. Their big horn cores enlarged coronal and frontal sinuses, and internal bony septa protect their brain by absorbing the impact of clashes. Eventually, one ram ends up giving in and emerges as the new leader.

MISCHIEVOUS

Those unique eye-markings aren’t simply to make raccoons look craftier, they actually serve a purpose. Just like for athletes, the dark markings help reduce glare. When these creatures are scurrying around at night, glare from lights can reduce their ability to contrast and make it difficult to see.

SOLITUDE

Owls do not have a good sense of smell. But they do have acute hearing and can hear sounds ten miles away.

Owls have good eyesight. They see only black and white, but their eyes are as large as a human’s and 35 times more sensitive. They can see objects with about five percent the amount of light that a human requires.

ADMIRATION

Foxes are members of the Canidae family, which means they’re related to wolves, jackals, and dogs. They’re medium-sized, weighing anywhere between two and 24 pounds, with pointy faces, lithe frames, and bushy tails. Unlike their canid relatives, foxes are not pack animals. When raising their young, they live in small families—called a “leash of foxes” or a “skulk of foxes”—in underground burrows. Otherwise, they hunt and sleep alone.

CHERISHED

Chimpanzees are slow-maturing primates. A chimpanzee isn’t sexually mature until it reaches 7 years old, and females won’t have young until they turn about 13 years old.

Baby chimpanzees cling to their mothers for about two years and drink milk until they are five. Even after weaning, a chimpanzee has a close relationship with its mother; they stick around for several years until they reach sexual maturity.

PRIDE

The mane of the male lion is a distinctive characteristic of lions as no other big cats have them. It makes male lions appear larger, thus allowing them to be more intimidating. It also signals sexual maturity and health status; lionesses tend to favour denser and darker manes.

Lions are symbols of strength and courage and have been celebrated throughout history for these characteristics. They are also common symbols for royalty and stateliness, hence the phrase ‘king of the jungle’.

INDEPENDENCE

With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards, cities, and almost any other semi-open habitat between the Arctic and the tropics.

Bearly visable

Black bears are excellent climbers. When a black bear is threatened he usually runs from the perceived threat or goes up a tree. With cubs out of danger, female black bears don’t have to make vigorous defenses that risk potential injury. Although black bears tend to retreat from people, they are still incredibly strong animals that can cause injuries.

Mothers Love

Giraffes are very social animals. They live in close-knit herds and enjoy spending time with others. They are also curious creatures. They are always exploring their surroundings and seem to be constantly learning. These gentle giants form close bonds with other giraffes, and they will often stay with the same group for their entire lives.

When a giraffe is born, it instantly forms a close bond with its mother. The two will remain close throughout their lives, and the mother will fiercely protect her offspring from predators.