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Florissant Fossil Beds National MonumentWindows on the Hornbek homestead
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Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Animals
 
Wapiti or Elk
USFWS Image Library
Wapiti or Elk

At 8,400 feet, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument falls into the Montane life zone. The zone is dominated by ponderosa pine trees with some stands of spruce, fir, and aspen. In addition, there are some riparian habitats and mountain meadows. This provides for a wide range of wildlife from eagles to Tiger salamanders and from mountain lions to beetles. The most visible animals for park visitors are birds such as the Chickadee and Stellar's Jay and also smaller mammals such as Richardson's ground squirrels, Abert's squirrels. and rabbits. Larger mammals such as mountain lions, bobcat, wapiti or elk, and bear are seen on occassion.

A 1 1/2 story, log homestead built in 1878  

Did You Know?
The Hornbek Homestead is located within the boundaries of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. It was built in 1878 and owned by Adeline Hornbek a rancher and single mother of four teenaged children.

Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:23 EST