250 likes | 503 Views
By Andy Marble. Yellowstone Ecosystem. Yellowstone is located in northwestern Wyoming and southwestern Montana (for the three of you that didn’t already know that). Yellowstone contains two thirds of the world’s geysers. Cool Geography Facts. Geysers are not biological. Cool as they are….
E N D
By Andy Marble Yellowstone Ecosystem
Yellowstone is located in northwestern Wyoming and southwestern Montana (for the three of you that didn’t already know that). Yellowstone contains two thirds of the world’s geysers. Cool Geography Facts
Geysers are not biological. Cool as they are…
Yellowstone can be divided into two basic categories- valley and mountain regions. The valleys range from 6,400 ft. to 7,000 ft. in elevation. The mountains rise to 10,000 ft. Important Geography Facts
Bison Elk Moose Grizzly Bear Wolf Major animal species
Fully grown cows weigh up to 1,000 pounds while fully grown bulls can weigh up to 18,000 pounds. Stand at an average of six feet high at the shoulders. Despite their size, bison can move quickly, running up to 40 miles per hour. Bison Characteristics
Bison have passive natures and are content simply to eat (wouldn’t we all be?) However, bison can get provoked by people who get too close and seem threatening. Do not approach!
Bison Habits • Bison spend all of their time in the valley areas. • Graze all year long. • Born in the spring.
Cows weigh up to 550 pounds and bulls weigh up to 700 pounds. Bulls have the famous antlers that sometimes weigh 30 pounds by themselves and average at six to eight points. Most numerous large mammal in Yellowstone. Elk Characteristics
Elk Habits • Elk graze in the mountain regions during spring, summer, and fall. • During the winter they move to the valleys for protection. • Calves born in the spring.
Cows can weigh up to 800 pounds and bulls can weigh up to 1300 pounds. Famous “blunt noses” Unusual antler type Big and bad Moose Characteristics
Moose Habits • Unlike other large herbivores, moose are generally solitary creatures. • Exceptions are calves staying with mothers and mating season. • Stick to swampy, wet areas. • Eat trees rather than grasses
Males can be 725 pounds while females are an average of 428 pounds. Hump on the shoulders distinguishes from black bears. Usually brown Grizzly Characteristics
Bear Habits • Hibernate in the winter. • Prefers the open meadow areas. • Eats nuts, berries, insects, small rodents, larger animals, roots, ect. • Usually stay away from humans.
Looks like a big dog (with really sharp teeth). Gray and black striped pelt. Small compared to grizzlies, bison, elk, and moose. Wolf Characteristics
Wolf Habits • Roams in packs. • Each pack has a specific area. • Better hunting and protection.
This is just the tip of the iceberg The Yellowstone ecosystem is very complex on many levels, and in order to maintain that diversity, human contact needs to be kept to a minimum. Conclusion
http://www.treehugger.com/gray_wolf.jpg http://www.ownbyphotography.com/Bison.jpg http://www.wildnatureimages.com/A%20to%20C3000/BUFFALO-HERD-YNP..jpg http://www.elk-pictures.com/elk-call1.jpg http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/IMAGES/Alaska/MOOSE.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1BS26hskizY/S5kv0Vh2WsI/AAAAAAAAAAM/pImt7CiRUrc/s320/happy_moose.jpg http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/animals/images/primary/grizzly-bear.jpg http://xoy80.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/yellowstone_bear.jpg http://www.tejamovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Gray-Wolf-2.jpg Sources