Marti Bowden

Wildlife of the United States

Different Regions of the United States The Northlands e.g. Alaska The Humid Temperate regions e.g. New England The Dry Regions e.g. Nevada The Wetlands e.g. Everglades of South Florida *Every region has wildlife typical to that area

The Northlands The Northlands are among the Earth's coldest regions Climate is cold and windy with snow-covered land for much of the year, until summer brings a burst of wildflowers

Denali National Park & Preserve Denali is 6 million acres of wild land Low-elevation taiga forest and high alpine tundra and snowy mountains Mount McKinley: 20,320ft (6,194m) North America's highest peak (above sea-level)

The Bald Eagle National symbol of the USA Bald Eagles are found over most of North America Many of the world's Bald Eagles live in Alaska

Wolves Alaskan Tundra Wolves reside along the Arctic coast in Alaska. They generally live in small packs consisting of parents and their young that have not yet found a mate. The alpha male and his mate lead the pack. All adults participate in raising the wolf cubs and participate in the hunt. Some young animals break away and live alone. .

The Trumpeter Swan Trumpeter Swans are one of the many species of birds that migrate to Alaska in summer from thousands of miles away. A large portion of the world’s Trumpeter Swan population is born and reared in Alaska.

King Salmon The King Salmon is the largest salmon in North America and can grow up to 58" long and 126 pounds. Lives at sea and spawn in the freshwaters of Northern America.

The Grizzly Bear A natural-born fisher, this grizzly bear snares a salmon at the Brooks Falls fishing grounds in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Caribou Every spring Alaskan and Canadian caribou perform one of the Earth’s great wildlife migrations. They follow ancient paths to the coastal plain tundra, where they spend the summer feeding and giving birth to their young.

Moose The largest living member of the Deer family They live in Alaska, Canada, and other northern parts of the United States

Humid Temperate Regions The humid temperate regions of the U.S. have cold winters with snow and warm wet summers. Some birds of these regions migrate to warmer regions in the winter.

Shenandoah National Park Virginia Just an hour’s drive from the Nation’s Capital, this park’s 200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds, waterfalls, and quiet wooded hollows.

The Blue Jay Blue Jays do not usually migrate but some may migrate south in one year, stay north the next winter, and then migrate south again the next year. Why are they so brightly colored? The Blue Jay’s feathers are not actually blue. The bright cobalt color is the result of the unique inner structure of the feathers, which distort the reflection of light off the bird, making it look blue.

The Squirrel The squirrel is very common in urban as well as rural areas of the temperate regions. They are classed in the rodent family and feed on nuts.

The Prairie Dog The prairie dog is one of nature’s great architects. To create shelter they dig extensive interconnected burrows. If prairie dogs vacate their burrow, it becomes home to many other animals, such as rabbits, snakes, and mice.

The American Bison a.k.a. “Buffalo” Bison herd grazing at the National Bison Range in Montana. Buffalo normally weigh between 300 – 1,000kg

Dry Regions The dry regions of North America, such as Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, are sunny and dry, with wide variation in daily and seasonal temperatures and very little rain.

Mojave National Preserve Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the1.6 million acre park is home to singing sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, wildflowers, canyons, and mountains. Hidden, are ancient abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts.

The Hummingbird The Hummingbird is a native of Nevada but in Autumn they migrate south. Males begin migration before females and usually while females are still caring for their young. They have long beaks to feed on the nectar inside plants. .

The Coyote The coyote is a very savvy and clever beast The Coyote The coyote is a very savvy and clever beast. These members of the dog family once lived primarily in open prairies and deserts, but are now found over most of North America.

The Rattle Snake When startled or angered, the rattle snake will warn off danger by shaking its tail. Its bright coloration is to blend in with its surroundings.

The Wetlands The wetlands are marshy areas containing a lot of moisture in the soil. Sometimes, wetlands are covered in water. Swamps, marshes, and bogs are some of the names used for wetlands.

Everglades National Park The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape filled with curious flora and fauna. At nearly 1.5 million acres in size, the park provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.

The Great Blue Heron The Great Blue Heron eats fish, aquatic insects, and plants. They prefer to nest where there is little human activity and disturbance.

The White Egret The Great White Egret lives and nests in wetland areas, the most renowned being the Florida Everglades. It feeds on fish, frogs, and aquatic insects.

The Whooping Crane The Whooping Crane is one of the world’s rarest birds. Wetlands and coastal marshes are common stopping grounds for these migratory birds that travel almost 4,300 kilometers.

The Alligator Alligators also live in southeastern U.S. swamps, lakes, and marshes, from North Carolina to Texas and Florida. They feed on big fish and unfortunate mammals on land. When in danger, a mother alligator puts the babies in her mouth for safety.

The Raccoon Raccoons are found in forests, wetlands, marshes, and prairies, but their natural habitat is wetlands and marshes. These nocturnal foragers use their paws to grab crayfish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures.

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