Colorado Life Zones Prairie Alpine Foothills Subalpine Montane Riparian

Foothills 5,500 – 8,000 ft. Plains 3,500 – 5,500 ft. Montane 8,000 – 10,000 ft. Sub alpine 10,000 – 11,500 ft. Riparian Alpine 11,500 +ft. Colorado Life Zones

Influences on the Life Zones Elevation Climate Soils (Dirt) Threats Animals Plants Food Web

Foothills Life Zone

Foothills 5,500 – 8,000 ft. Prairie / grasslands 3,500 – 5,500 ft. Montane 8,000 – 10,000 ft. Sub alpine 10,000 – 11,500 ft. Riparian Alpine 11,500 +ft. Foothills Life Zone

What Is It Like In The Foothills? ClimateWeather is always changing! Rain falls during Spring and Fall, and some snow falls in Winter. Temperature Geography Soils Soils are sandy and have lots of broken up rock left there from glaciers Summer temperatures can be HOT, up to 100 degrees, and winters can be cold, down to 20 degrees. BRRR! Located just upslope from the plains. They are smaller than mountains, but taller than most hills!

How Tall Are The Trees In The Foothills? Plains Montane Alpine Foothills Riparian

What kinds of plants grow in the Foothills? ?

Sagebrush Gambel Oak or Scrub Oak Ball Cactus Junegrass Prickly Pear Cactus

Ponderosa Pine

What kinds of animals live in the Foothills? ?

Elk Elk live mostly at higher elevations, but in the winter they can move into the foothills

There are many deer in the foothills. This is a mule deer. Mule Deer How can you can tell? By its big ears!

These animals can adapt very well to human environments. That is why you see them living near cities. FoxCoyoteRaccoons Coyotes, foxes and raccoons all live in the foothills.

Mountain lions are important predators in the food web. They hunt deer and small elk as well as other small animals. Mountain lions have a territory of up to 500 sq. miles! Do you know why their territory is so big? They are losing their homes because so many people are building houses in the foothills. Mountain Lion

Lizards Ladybugs eat other bugs that kill plants. They help keep the foothills healthy! Great Horned Owl