North America North America is filled with a range in climates and animals who live in those climates. The Artic Hare and Elk both live in cold artic environments. While the Sea Cucumber, Manatee, and Largemouth Bass all live in oceans or lakes surrounding, or in North America. Other environments include grasslands, forests, deserts, wetlands, and pretty much anything else you can think of!
|
Chincoteague
These are one of the only wild Horses left in the all of North America!
They are extremely endangered. they originated in Virginia, U.S.
and Maryland, U.S. and had to survive through an annual holiday that
took place at the time, called "Pony Penning Day" when everyone
would auction off horses they found to be broken out.
They are extremely endangered. they originated in Virginia, U.S.
and Maryland, U.S. and had to survive through an annual holiday that
took place at the time, called "Pony Penning Day" when everyone
would auction off horses they found to be broken out.
Big Horned Sheep
Big horned sheep often use their horns to fight with other male Big
Horned sheep, but don't worry these sheep aren't going to hurt themselves.
Big horned sheep have double skulls, so they probably won't get injured
in these kinds of fights. Male Big horn sheep have these fights over mating
rights, to see who gets to mate the female.
Big horn sheep live in a lot of different place, from Canada to New
Mexico! and they can also get really tall, 5 to 6ft!
Horned sheep, but don't worry these sheep aren't going to hurt themselves.
Big horned sheep have double skulls, so they probably won't get injured
in these kinds of fights. Male Big horn sheep have these fights over mating
rights, to see who gets to mate the female.
Big horn sheep live in a lot of different place, from Canada to New
Mexico! and they can also get really tall, 5 to 6ft!
Arctic Hare
Most arctic hares don't stay this white too long, they often get dirty one way
or another! Sometimes in the cold groups of them huddle together in little holes
underground to share their warmth, but if one of them senses danger he or she will stand
on it's hind legs to look taller and warn the others. But if all else fails, Arctic Hares
can run up to 40 miles an hour.
or another! Sometimes in the cold groups of them huddle together in little holes
underground to share their warmth, but if one of them senses danger he or she will stand
on it's hind legs to look taller and warn the others. But if all else fails, Arctic Hares
can run up to 40 miles an hour.
Elk
This is a Bull Elk or male Elk, they loose their antlers every March at which point they
have reached a length of about four ft. making the Elk about nine ft. tall! Elks live in
groups called Gangs Bull Elks will fight for the right to be the leader of the gang.
During late summer Bull Elks also fight for the right to mate, older males usually win
these fights because their antlers are bigger and stronger.
Elks live in small gangs year round, except for in the winter when gangs get
bigger, but male and female Elks usually stay separated.
have reached a length of about four ft. making the Elk about nine ft. tall! Elks live in
groups called Gangs Bull Elks will fight for the right to be the leader of the gang.
During late summer Bull Elks also fight for the right to mate, older males usually win
these fights because their antlers are bigger and stronger.
Elks live in small gangs year round, except for in the winter when gangs get
bigger, but male and female Elks usually stay separated.
Kit Fox
Kit foxes generally live in the South West of the United States. They live in deserts and scrub land,
but they can be found in cities as well! Kit foxes are mostly nocturnal, so the heat of the desert
doesn't bother them much, because at night it's cooler outside then during the day, but they do
go out in the day occasionally.
but they can be found in cities as well! Kit foxes are mostly nocturnal, so the heat of the desert
doesn't bother them much, because at night it's cooler outside then during the day, but they do
go out in the day occasionally.
Hoary Bat
These bats live in a variety of places, in fact they live pretty much everywhere in North
America except for western Canada, Alaska, and the Arctic islands! When a mother bat
usually gives birth to twins, which will cling to their mother for the first 33 days of their
lives before they can fly. However if the mother goes out hunting at night they will stay
behind. Other then these early days of their pups lives the mother is mainly solitary only
coming together with a male in the fall to mate. then going back to being completely solitary.
We don't know much about these bats live cycle, but we think they live around eight
years. In the eight years of their lives the travel up north in the spring and go down south in
the fall to keep warm.
America except for western Canada, Alaska, and the Arctic islands! When a mother bat
usually gives birth to twins, which will cling to their mother for the first 33 days of their
lives before they can fly. However if the mother goes out hunting at night they will stay
behind. Other then these early days of their pups lives the mother is mainly solitary only
coming together with a male in the fall to mate. then going back to being completely solitary.
We don't know much about these bats live cycle, but we think they live around eight
years. In the eight years of their lives the travel up north in the spring and go down south in
the fall to keep warm.
North American Porcupine
There are two kinds of proquipines, African and North american, but we are going
to focus on the North american one. Porqupine's quills are normally resting and
folded down, like in the picture, but even a light tuch from someone, or something
they don't know will make their quills pop up like a crown on their hinds. That way
if any predators stick their heads in a bush while the porquipine's quills are alerted,
that predator is going to end up with a nose-full of quills!
However, porquipines don't like to waste their quills because they take a long time to
grow back. Porquipine's quills are truly precious, North american porqupine's especially!
North american porquipines have little barbs at the end of their quills, so they stick to
flesh, and are harder to get out once they're in! Contrary to popular belief, porquipines
can't, and don't shoot their quills out of their bodies. However they do come off of their
bodies easily when alerted, and touched. Lesson: Don't mess with a porquipine!
to focus on the North american one. Porqupine's quills are normally resting and
folded down, like in the picture, but even a light tuch from someone, or something
they don't know will make their quills pop up like a crown on their hinds. That way
if any predators stick their heads in a bush while the porquipine's quills are alerted,
that predator is going to end up with a nose-full of quills!
However, porquipines don't like to waste their quills because they take a long time to
grow back. Porquipine's quills are truly precious, North american porqupine's especially!
North american porquipines have little barbs at the end of their quills, so they stick to
flesh, and are harder to get out once they're in! Contrary to popular belief, porquipines
can't, and don't shoot their quills out of their bodies. However they do come off of their
bodies easily when alerted, and touched. Lesson: Don't mess with a porquipine!
Mexican Axolotl
When you see them for the first time you might be thinking, "Alien!!!!!" Well the truth is these little
critters as alien as we are! They live in a tiny part of Mexico around lake Xochimilco, and lake
Chalco. These quirky creatures are really endangered, and many efforts have been made to
re-establish it's population. Unfortunately as Mexico city gets bigger and bigger there are less
and less water ways for the Mexican Axolotl to live in.
One thing that makes this animal so strange is it's metamorphosis cycle, Most animals have
three, or four steps of metamorphosis, but the Mexican Axolotl only has two! Egg, and Larva, they
stay looking like larva for their whole lives, which explains their appearance! They never grow eyelids,
they have gills and fins their entire life, They get bigger then most other species of larva. Since they
have gills they are aquatic animals, although they do have lungs.
critters as alien as we are! They live in a tiny part of Mexico around lake Xochimilco, and lake
Chalco. These quirky creatures are really endangered, and many efforts have been made to
re-establish it's population. Unfortunately as Mexico city gets bigger and bigger there are less
and less water ways for the Mexican Axolotl to live in.
One thing that makes this animal so strange is it's metamorphosis cycle, Most animals have
three, or four steps of metamorphosis, but the Mexican Axolotl only has two! Egg, and Larva, they
stay looking like larva for their whole lives, which explains their appearance! They never grow eyelids,
they have gills and fins their entire life, They get bigger then most other species of larva. Since they
have gills they are aquatic animals, although they do have lungs.
Manatee
These gentle, big, slow-moving, friendly, vegetarian giants are about as cute as any
critter. Many Manatees have markings, or scars on their backs. These scars, or
markings are mostly because of us humans, when humans use speed boats above
the water where Manatees swim the propeller from the boat hits the Manatee making
these scars on their backs.
critter. Many Manatees have markings, or scars on their backs. These scars, or
markings are mostly because of us humans, when humans use speed boats above
the water where Manatees swim the propeller from the boat hits the Manatee making
these scars on their backs.
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Hawaiian monks seals inhabit reefs around Hawaii. they have a long slippery body which
is very useful for walking on land because they're tail flippers don't move forward so they
have to kind of wiggle around. Even though they live in a warm climate they do not have any
special physical adaptations, instead they hide in shady areas in the water during the hottest
times of day. However Hawaiian monk seals need to go on the beach to care for their young
who can not swim, but this has become a challenge for them because of global warming.
You may be asking yourself how does global warming affect Hawaiian seals? well the reason
is that when ice melts, it makes more water, more water, less sand, less sand, less beach,
less beach, more drowning infants.
is very useful for walking on land because they're tail flippers don't move forward so they
have to kind of wiggle around. Even though they live in a warm climate they do not have any
special physical adaptations, instead they hide in shady areas in the water during the hottest
times of day. However Hawaiian monk seals need to go on the beach to care for their young
who can not swim, but this has become a challenge for them because of global warming.
You may be asking yourself how does global warming affect Hawaiian seals? well the reason
is that when ice melts, it makes more water, more water, less sand, less sand, less beach,
less beach, more drowning infants.
Opossum
Opossums are the only marsupials in north america. They are about the size of cats,
and sleep during the day making them nocturnal. They live mostly around the western
United States, and south western Canada. Their long rat til is used for stability while
climbing, not hanging. In captivity they usually survive up to 10 years, but in the wild
they only survive one or two years because of predators like wild dogs, and cats. They
can however defend themselves with a defense called 'playing possum' or playing dead.
and sleep during the day making them nocturnal. They live mostly around the western
United States, and south western Canada. Their long rat til is used for stability while
climbing, not hanging. In captivity they usually survive up to 10 years, but in the wild
they only survive one or two years because of predators like wild dogs, and cats. They
can however defend themselves with a defense called 'playing possum' or playing dead.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass as you can probably guess have really big mouths! They're large
mouths help them gulp down fish that they can find with their great sense of sight,
hearing, smell, and even vibration! They usually hide in the vegetation of lakes and
wait for something bite size to swim by so they can launch out and grab it.
Largemouth Bass eggs are pretty appetizing to other fish such as sunfish. So when a
female lays it's eggs the male zooms in to protect them from other sunfish and any
other fish who feels like grabbing a quick snack!
mouths help them gulp down fish that they can find with their great sense of sight,
hearing, smell, and even vibration! They usually hide in the vegetation of lakes and
wait for something bite size to swim by so they can launch out and grab it.
Largemouth Bass eggs are pretty appetizing to other fish such as sunfish. So when a
female lays it's eggs the male zooms in to protect them from other sunfish and any
other fish who feels like grabbing a quick snack!
The Quetzal
The Quetzal has got to be one of my favorite birds. It is so beautiful. It's long plumage was considered
sacred to the aztecs and the mayans. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but this bird has a
extremely long tail feathers. They live all around central america, especially in cloud forests, like where
the Quetzal in the picture is.
Quetzal's actually have their eggs inside trees. They hollow out a hole in the tree, then the mother lays
her eggs. After that the couple takes turns incubating the eggs, so they stay nice and warm.
sacred to the aztecs and the mayans. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but this bird has a
extremely long tail feathers. They live all around central america, especially in cloud forests, like where
the Quetzal in the picture is.
Quetzal's actually have their eggs inside trees. They hollow out a hole in the tree, then the mother lays
her eggs. After that the couple takes turns incubating the eggs, so they stay nice and warm.
Moose
Moose are big beautiful creatures. They are the state animals of Maine, but most people who go to
Maine to see a moose never actually see one! Even though they look big and heavy they can, like
all mammals, swim and dive, but moose are especially good at swimming and diving. They have been
know to swim from parts of Canada, to islands off the coast of Canada! Moose can also be a little
aggressive when surprised, but not to worry, as long as you don't stare them in the eyes, or get too
close they probably won't charge at you. However those iconic moose antlers you see in the picture to
your left are only on male, or bull moose.
Maine to see a moose never actually see one! Even though they look big and heavy they can, like
all mammals, swim and dive, but moose are especially good at swimming and diving. They have been
know to swim from parts of Canada, to islands off the coast of Canada! Moose can also be a little
aggressive when surprised, but not to worry, as long as you don't stare them in the eyes, or get too
close they probably won't charge at you. However those iconic moose antlers you see in the picture to
your left are only on male, or bull moose.
California Condor
Some say that this is the luckiest and unluckiest bird alive. It is the rarest bird in all of North
America. In 1987 only 22 of these birds were in existence, and it was all human's fault. Because
of overhunting, egg poaching, habitat disruption, and an overuse of electric cables that got
tangled in their wings the U.S.A. felt like they needed to take drastic measures. They began putting
several of the birds in captivity with hopes that their population would soon climb back up. Long
story short: it did, not as far up as we were hoping for, but it did! As of 2012 there were 405 condors
total, and 266 of them were even living in the wild again! What will happen to the condors in the future
is for us humans to decide as time goes by.
America. In 1987 only 22 of these birds were in existence, and it was all human's fault. Because
of overhunting, egg poaching, habitat disruption, and an overuse of electric cables that got
tangled in their wings the U.S.A. felt like they needed to take drastic measures. They began putting
several of the birds in captivity with hopes that their population would soon climb back up. Long
story short: it did, not as far up as we were hoping for, but it did! As of 2012 there were 405 condors
total, and 266 of them were even living in the wild again! What will happen to the condors in the future
is for us humans to decide as time goes by.
Pronghorn
Uniquely to North America the Pronghorn is a very special mammal. The Pronghorn lives in the American
Prairies. They look like goats, and they look like antelopes, but they are neither, they are however related to
both goats and antelopes. Much like the bison they used to roam free and at numbers of up to the millions.
Around the early 1800's there were only around 15,000 pronghorns left, but thanks to numerous conservation
efforts today we have millions free, and in the prairies.
Prairies. They look like goats, and they look like antelopes, but they are neither, they are however related to
both goats and antelopes. Much like the bison they used to roam free and at numbers of up to the millions.
Around the early 1800's there were only around 15,000 pronghorns left, but thanks to numerous conservation
efforts today we have millions free, and in the prairies.
Gila Monster
Gila monsters may look like monsters, but trust me, humans are a bigger threat to them they
they are to us! Gila monsters live in the desserts of the United States, mainly around New Mexico,
like most dessert animals, they have strategies for storing food and water. Their strategy is a lot
like the cammel's strategy, they store fat in their large tails. Because of this they only have to
come up from under the earth a couple times a year, in fact they can go months without eating or
drinking, and they stay even cooler since they spend 95% of their lives under ground.
Even though this is the only known venomous lizard in the united states, you don't have to worry
about seeing one once or twice, they are also very slow, so they cause very little harm to human's,
and even if they were close enough to hurt you, they don't have any reason to unless you are
scaring them. Thei diet consists of birds and rodents, not humans, so you have nothing to fear.
they are to us! Gila monsters live in the desserts of the United States, mainly around New Mexico,
like most dessert animals, they have strategies for storing food and water. Their strategy is a lot
like the cammel's strategy, they store fat in their large tails. Because of this they only have to
come up from under the earth a couple times a year, in fact they can go months without eating or
drinking, and they stay even cooler since they spend 95% of their lives under ground.
Even though this is the only known venomous lizard in the united states, you don't have to worry
about seeing one once or twice, they are also very slow, so they cause very little harm to human's,
and even if they were close enough to hurt you, they don't have any reason to unless you are
scaring them. Thei diet consists of birds and rodents, not humans, so you have nothing to fear.
Puma
The puma is one of my favorite creatures, it has so many abilities and traits! Some people know
pumas as mountain lions, panthers, cougars, etc. pumas can also be found in parts of South
America, but are more common in North America mainly because of the habitat that is found in
North America. You'll find more Pumas in more rocky, praire-like, mountainy areas in North America
because even though South America has one of the largest mountain ranges in the world they are
very high altitude making them a lot colder. So, even though they love mountains the ones who live
in South America actually are more likely to be found in tropical rainforests like the Amazon.
Even though Mountain lions have to word "lion" in their name they are actually considered "small cats"
since, they are pretty big for a "small cat" they are also considered the biggest of the small cats! Another
unique fact about them is that they are also the only mammal to have such a big range in all of the
western hemesphere, except for humans.
pumas as mountain lions, panthers, cougars, etc. pumas can also be found in parts of South
America, but are more common in North America mainly because of the habitat that is found in
North America. You'll find more Pumas in more rocky, praire-like, mountainy areas in North America
because even though South America has one of the largest mountain ranges in the world they are
very high altitude making them a lot colder. So, even though they love mountains the ones who live
in South America actually are more likely to be found in tropical rainforests like the Amazon.
Even though Mountain lions have to word "lion" in their name they are actually considered "small cats"
since, they are pretty big for a "small cat" they are also considered the biggest of the small cats! Another
unique fact about them is that they are also the only mammal to have such a big range in all of the
western hemesphere, except for humans.
Box Turtle
Box turtles live on the east coast of the United States, from Maine to Florida. Box turtles only live as far west as Illinois, eastern Kansas, and Oklahoma. Box turtles have the amazing feature of being able to tuck their heads, legs, and tail completely into their shells, providing extra protection for their bodies. Box turtles are omnivores, they eat bugs, snails, berries, fungi, flowers, roots, fish, salamanders, and have even been observed eating dead ducks! Box turtles aren't just cute faces, they also have an incredibly long lifespan, a lifespan of 100 years! These turtles have been around for a long time, and they live a long time as well, isn't it great that these cute little guys are still free in the wild!