Soaking up the sun and our last days together

Rocky Mountain Raptor Presentation!

How is the year almost over???

4 more days of fun together and then I'm going to miss this awesome crew!

Our Colorado Ecosystem projects are underway!  Each student has their own animal and is in the process of  researching, writing a report, and then turning their paper into a narrated photo story.  See below for an example by Julia Biaetti!

Julia Baietti

5/8/2013

Colorado Ecosystems

Bighorns in the Foothills

                The Colorado foothills are a very unique place.  The foothills ecosystem is located below the montane and above the plains.  Within this 5,000 – 8,000 feet elevation life zone you will find many amazing animals.  One of these animals is the big horn sheep.

                There are many physical characteristics that help the big horn sheep survive.  Bighorn sheep have excellent eyesight.  This helps the bighorn sheep find their way around at night.  Bighorn sheep also have thick coats to keep them warm in high elevations. Bighorn sheep coats shed June – July each summer. The fur color can vary from dark brown to a grayish brown.  In addition, bighorn sheep can jump and climb rocks very well.  Male bighorn sheep horns can grow up to 30 inches and 15 inches in circumference. Ewes have shorter horns that have shorter curvature. The physical characteristics of bighorn sheep help them live in the foothills ecosystem.

                Bighorn sheep can be found on cliffs and in canyons throughout the foothills.  Often they make their homes in the high mountains as well. Bighorn Sheep like having their homes in habitats dominated by grass, low shrubs, rock cover, and areas near escape.         

                As with any creature eating is very important to the bighorn sheep.  Bighorn sheep enjoy eating lots of grasses everywhere they migrate through the foothills.  They also eat lots bearberry, rose, shrubs, and sage. Bighorns also like to eat willows, forbs, and other woody plants.

                Bighorn sheep have many predators like cougars, golden eagles, and wolves. Other predators they have are coyotes, bears, bobcats, and the lynx. Rams and Ewes have to take much care of their lambs because the Golden Eagle attacks lambs when they are unprotected.

                The big horn sheep population continues to remain steady due to their ability to successfully raise their young.  Bighorn Sheep babies are named Lambs. Lambs are always born with soft woolly, light colored coats, and small horn buds. Within a day, a lamb can walk as well climb within a day, a lamb can walk as well climb as its mother. A lamb will stay with its mother for the first year of its life.

                There are many more interesting facts we know about Bighorn Sheep.  Bighorn sheep also live in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Bighorn sheep follow narrow trails.

In conclusion, Bighorn Sheep are amazing animals that live their life in the beautiful Foothills of Colorado.