Montana : Flora & Fauna

There are three major life zones in Montana. They are the subalpine, montane, and plains. The subalpine region, in the northern Rocky Mountains, is rich in wild flowers especially during the growing season. The coniferous forests, namely alpine fir, and a variety of shrubs constitute the monatne flora of the region. The plains are characterized by an abundance of grasses, cacti, and sagebrush species. In 2003, three plant species were threatened. They were Ute ladies'-tresses, Spalding's catchfly, and water howellia.
Moose, elk, white-tailed and mule deers, bighorn sheep pronghorn antelope, and mountain goat are the important game animals. One can also find amphibians namely the axolotl. Rattlesnakes and other reptiles occur in most parts of the state. Thirteen species were listed as threatened or endangered in 2003. They include the black-footed ferret, grizzly bear, Eskimo curlew, gray wolf, two species of sturgeon, and whooping crane.