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.