Big Sky CountryIn western North America, the Rocky Mountains rise to snow-capped peaks. In this environment, life changes with elevation. Lichens and grasses are found near the mountain summits. Below the timberline, evergreen forests of spruce, fir, and pine clad the slopes. Mule deer and elk winter at lower levels, moving higher in the summer. Pumas and eagles range widely in search of food.
In Native American times, the American Midwest was a vast expanse of grassland hosting millions of bison and pronghorns, miles of prairie dog towns, innumerable small mammals, and predators such as the coyote and wolf. From the Rockies eastward, the land gradually slopes downward toward the Mississippi. Short grasses of the high western plains merge with the tall grasses of the prairie lowlands to the east.
 
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Cervus elaphus
Biome: Big Sky Country
Classification: Mammals
Biography: Elk are among the most vocal members of the deer family. Cows bark alarm signals, calves bleat and squeal, and bulls bugle. Bugling marks the beginning of the fall rutting, or breeding season, and advertises the bull's fitness to cows and rival bulls. During the rut, cows... More >
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Bison bison
Biome: Big Sky Country
Classification: Mammals
Biography: American bison, commonly known as buffaloes, are the largest land mammals found in North America. Despite weighing up to 2,000 pounds and standing six feet tall, bison can sprint at 30 mph. Using their massive heads as shovels, bison can dig through deep snow to uncover... More >
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Pica pica
Biome: Big Sky Country
Classification: Birds
Biography: Streaming, iridescent tails and flashing white wing patches identify black-billed magpies in flight. On the ground, these striking members of the crow family forage for insects, fruits, mice and carrion, and will sometimes steal the eggs and young of smaller birds. Magpies... More >
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Cynomys ludovicianus
Biome: Big Sky Country
Classification: Mammals
Biography: Although named for their barking alarm call, black-tailed prairie dogs are actually burrowing ground squirrels. Prairie dogs have a complex social structure and communicate by using special calls and postures. They live in colonies or "towns" that range in size from one to... More >
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Asio otus
Biome: Big Sky Country
Classification: Birds
Biography: Rodents beware! The conspicuous ear tufts of the long-eared owl are not for hearing, but help it blend in with tree branches when roosting. Its true ears are hidden under the feathers at the edge of the facial disc, which channels sound into the ears. For additional... More >
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