List of flora and fauna of Montana facts for kids
Montana is a really big state! It covers about 147,046 square miles (380,847 square kilometers). Because it's so large and has many different natural areas, like mountains, forests, and plains, it's home to a huge variety of plants and animals.
This article will introduce you to some of the amazing plants and animals that live in Montana.
Contents
Plants of Montana
Montana has many different kinds of plants, from tiny mosses to tall trees and colorful flowers.
Club-mosses and Mosses
Club-mosses and mosses are ancient plants. They don't have flowers or seeds. Instead, they reproduce using spores. In Montana, you can find at least 23 types of club-mosses and 153 different kinds of mosses. They often grow in damp, shady places.
Coniferous Plants
Coniferous plants are trees and shrubs that usually have needles and cones, like pine trees or fir trees. They are also called gymnosperms. These plants stay green all year round. Montana is home to at least 20 different species of coniferous plants. They are a very important part of Montana's forests.
Ferns and Horsetails
Ferns are beautiful plants with delicate, feathery leaves called fronds. Like mosses and club-mosses, they also reproduce with spores, not seeds. Horsetails are related to ferns and have hollow, jointed stems that look a bit like tiny bamboo. Both ferns and horsetails can be found in many parts of Montana, especially in moist areas.
Lichens
Lichens are unique living things that are actually two organisms working together: a fungus and an algae or cyanobacteria. They grow on rocks, trees, and even soil. They come in many shapes and colors. Montana has at least 41 known species of lichens. They are very important for the environment, helping to break down rocks and create soil.
Flowering Plants
Flowering plants are the most common type of plant on Earth. They produce flowers, which then make seeds. There are two main groups of flowering plants: dicotyledons and monocotyledons.
- Dicotyledons: These plants usually have two seed leaves when they sprout, and their flower parts often come in groups of four or five. Many common flowers, shrubs, and trees are dicotyledons. Montana has at least 2,109 different species of dicotyledons.
- Monocotyledons: These plants typically have one seed leaf, and their flower parts are often in groups of three. Grasses, lilies, and orchids are examples of monocotyledons. At least 615 species of monocotyledons grow in Montana.
Animals of Montana
Montana's varied landscapes provide homes for a wide range of animals, from tiny insects to large mammals.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Amphibians are animals like frogs and salamanders that can live both in water and on land. Reptiles, like snakes and turtles, have scales and usually lay eggs on land. Montana has 14 different species of amphibians and 20 species of reptiles.
Birds
Birds are feathered animals that can fly, though some cannot. They lay eggs and are found in almost every habitat. Montana is a great place for birdwatching, with at least 427 different species of birds. The Western Meadowlark, shown in the picture, is Montana's state bird!
Molluscs
Molluscs are soft-bodied animals, many of which have shells. In Montana, you can find freshwater bivalves, which are like clams and mussels, living in rivers and lakes. There are at least 42 known species of these. You can also find gastropods, which include snails and slugs. Montana has at least 155 species of gastropods.
Crustaceans
Crustaceans are mostly water-dwelling animals with hard outer shells, like crabs and shrimp. In Montana, you might find different types of freshwater crustaceans, such as crayfish or tiny water fleas. There are at least 30 species of crustaceans known to live in Montana.
Fish
Fish are cold-blooded animals that live in water and breathe using gills. Montana's many rivers and lakes are home to a variety of fish. There are at least 31 species of game fish (fish that people like to catch for sport or food) and 59 species of non-game fish in Montana.
Insects
Insects are tiny creatures with six legs and usually two pairs of wings. They are the most diverse group of animals on Earth. Montana is home to countless insect species, from butterflies and bees to beetles and ants. They play many important roles in the environment, like pollinating plants and breaking down dead material.
Mammals
Mammals are warm-blooded animals that have fur or hair and feed their young with milk. Montana is famous for its large mammals, like grizzly bears, elk, and bison. There are at least 19 species of large mammals and 96 species of smaller mammals, such as mice, bats, and rabbits, living in Montana.
