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“Big Sky Country”. The Many Animals of Big Sky Country…. Big Sky Country.
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“Big Sky Country” The Many Animals of Big Sky Country…
Big Sky Country • Wide open spaces and never-ending sights—that’s Big Sky Country! It’s an enchanting land of majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls and grassy meadows stretching off into the horizon. For beautiful sights and more, join us on our adventure as we take a look at the animals in Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, "Big Sky Country!"
Big Sky Country • Montana is known as "Big Sky Country" because of its vast size and rolling plains. The members of the Lewis and Clark expedition were the first white explorers known to have set foot in Montana. It joined the United States in 1889 as the 41st state. The name Montana comes from the Spanish word Montana, meaning "mountainous," although the eastern part of the state consists of gently rolling pastureland.
Big Sky Country • Pictures of Big Sky Country:
Animals of Big Sky Country: • The grasslands of central and western North America are a vast area where there is enough rainfall to keep deserts from forming, yet not enough to support trees, producing tall grassy prairies that allow many different types of animals to live there.
Animals of Big Sky Country: • There are many different types of animals ranging from Eagles to Mountain Lions that we will be looking at!
Golden Eagle • The First Animal that we will study is the Golden Eagle:
Golden Eagle • Golden Eagles live in the mountains, cliffs, and canyons. • They need wide open spaces (36 square miles a pair) • They soar over the grassland looking for food like prairie dogs or rabbits.
Golden Eagles • Their eyesight is 5 to 6 times better than ours. • The pale golden feathers on the Eagle’s head and neck give it it’s name.
American Elk • Our next animal of Big Sky Country is the American Elk.
American Elk • A mature elk bull weighs up to 1000 pounds! • They stand five feet tall at the shoulders! • Elk live in herds, normally with one bull and 15-20 cows as well as some calves.
American Elk • During the fall, old bulls challenge each other and fight for the possession of the cows by interlocking their antlers.
American Elk • Elk are brown with white back-ends and can have antlers that are five feet long and weigh up to 15 pounds!
Bison • Our third animal on our trip through Big Sky Country is the Bison.
Bison • Like many animals in the grasslands, bison roam in herds. • They have a good sense of smell and hearing and stampede to protect themselves when danger approaches.
Bison • They were the main source of food for the Plains Indians and early pioneers. • In the 1870’s and 80’s they were almost extinct since the hunters killed them for their skins and furs.
Bison • Fortunately a few were saved and we have protected herds today. Thanks!!!
Bison • Where did you hear of bison before?
Turkey Vulture • Our next animal is one that might seem gross, but they play an important role in the food chain:
Turkey Vulture • Vultures eat other dead animals. • Their talons are weak and not for killing like Eagles. • They soar for hours in updrafts called thermals.
Turkey Vultures • They are called scavengers. • They keep the area clear of dead rotting animals that could cause disease.
Mountain Lions • Our Fifth animal is the Mountain Lion.
Mountain Lion • Also known as the panther, cougar, and puma, mountain lions once roamed much of North America. • They are active mostly at night when they stalk deer and small mammals. I think I will wait until night to hunt!
Mountain Lion • If their first pounce does not get the animal, they do not chase them. • They are strong and go after the weak or injured normally. • Mountain Lions like in caves or rock piles.
Prairie Dog • Prairie Dogs are not dogs at all, but are burrowing, short-tailed squirrels, and they are our sixth animal from Big Sky Country.
Prairie Dog • They are named prairie “dogs” for the short bark that they make when there is danger…and there is plenty of danger on the prairie for these little rodents.
Prairie Dog • They are quick movers and enjoy digging holes up to 15 feet deep. • Their young are born underground in these burrows.
Prairie Dog • Their greatest enemy has been man who nearly exterminated them with poison because they compete with livestock for grasses and damage crops.
Black-Billed Magpie • Next we will be learning about the Black-Billed Magpie:
Black-Billed Magpie • Magpies are one of the most common sites on the prairies. • They eat insects, rodents, nuts and berries and are notorious nest robbers.
Black-Billed Magpie • They have short rounded tails and long tails. • They spend much of their time forging on the ground.
Black-Billed Magpie One more left! • Their noisy chattering sometimes imitate the human voice.
Long-Eared Owl • This rarely-seen owl is our final animal to look at from the Big Sky Country.
Long-Eared Owl • The long-eared owl has great camouflage and are normally found during the day snuggled up against the trunk of a pine tree.
Long-Eared Owl • Their long feathered ear tufts are not ears, but they help the owl blend with tree branches. • Their ears are small openings on the sides of their heads. • They use their excellent vision and hearing to capture small rodents for food.
Big Sky Country • Lets Review the animals:
Big Sky Country • Big Sky Country is a very interesting part of our country!
What’s Next? • Next Mr. Engle will assign you to a group that will have to create one of these animals. • We will use these “stuffed animals” for our presentation. • After the animals are created we will practice the presentation and teach all of the other first graders about these animals.
