Posted by Ranger Sally (165.83.5.15) on October 08, 2003 at 14:54:08:
In Reply to: What happens to swans when geyser spray hits them? posted by Aimee Dursma on October 08, 2003 at 14:17:00:
: Hi,
: I was wondering what would happen to the swans if a geyser went off and a swan got wet by the hot water? I also want to know if they have ever fallen in a hot pool like Morning Glory in Yellowstone?
: Thanks,
: Aimee Dursma
Hi Aimee--sounds as if you've visited Yellostone yourself! I imagine that the swan would be okay if it was splattered by water from a geyser. Generally the water cools pretty quickly as it's shot through the air (I've been doused a couple of times by geyser water hitting the boardwalks and by the time it reached me, the water was barely even warm.)
I have never heard of a swan being injured by a fall into a hot spring (although I do hear about bison sometimes being hurt.) I will ask our wildife biologist if I can reach him, and will let you know if he's heard of any cases where this has happened.