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Across the state parks of North America, these 16 contenders have trained for, prepared for, or
possibly just ignored the first round of battles in the Wild North America Division. To the recaps!
Not all who wander are lost...but the badger has no idea where he is right now. As he follows a beaver path,
the gray wolf attacks! But the badger fights back, snarling and biting. The wolf drops the badger,
and the badger runs off to fight another day! The gray wolf is left hungry, but victorious
MC, the Southern Bog Lemming appears in the Badlands next to the bison, and they're both
foraging peacefully. Isn't this nice? Maybe - oh no! A hawk is on the scene, and the harrier has grabbed
the lemming and is flying away while the bison does nothing, just stands around being the winner. [Sigh.]
The marsh rabbit finds itself deep in the Yucatan. It's dark and quiet. TOO quiet.
POW! The jaguar ambushes the rabbit! The rabbit leaps into the water and starts swimming,
...but jaguars can swim, too. A killing blow gives the jaguar the victory.
Spring is coming to Banff National Park, and the grizzly emerges from hibernation, in search of food. [Yawn]
But it is still cold here in Canada, and the Mexican free-tailed bat, arriving from Florida,
is shocked by the quick temperature change. ["Brrr, it's cold!"] The bat crashes to earth near the bear...who doesn't even notice.
The bat makes its way toward the relative warmth of a nearby cave - and off the field of battle!
The oblivious grizzly wins!
MC, here in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Black Bear is also coming out of hibernation.
The 13-lined ground squirrel shows up, sees the bear, and is not taking any chances.
The squirrel sounds an alert and runs for cover, leaving the Black Bear victorious!
The Bighorn Sheep is foraging in Bighorn Canyon. The coyote contemplates the sheep from afar.
Is it worth the chance? The Bighorn Sheep snorts in disgust as if to say, "bring it on!"
The coyote reconsiders and retreats. The bighorn sheep, without lifting a hoof, is the victor!
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The yellow-bellied marmot weighs in at a healthy 23.5 stoats. Meanwhile, the elk weighs...
2,259 stoats. This seems...unfair. I mean, what the--- [computer error noises]
Our heroic marmot arrives in the Great Smoky Mountains and sits on a rock to get his bearings.
He notices the elk grazing nearby. Folks, what would you do if you were suddenly in a strange
place near a GIGANTIC creature? Wouldn't you look for cover? That is the smart thing to do,
and it is what our brave marmot does, opting for safety over potential squishing. The elk advances.
March Mammal Magic transports the Kit Fox to the Santa Monica National Recreational Area, and right into -
- all together now - Home Habitat Advantage! The mountain lion, out hunting, begins the chase,
and the kit fox runs at high speed...
...right onto the 101 Freeway.
[horns honking] [WHOMP] ["My eyes!!!"]
And the mountain lion advances.
And so, the first round of battles has concluded! 32 competitors have made it to the next level.
What surprises await us? Join us next time as we find out in March Mammal Madness!