Wildlife Diversity

Wildlife Diversity. Wyoming’s Wildlife. , The Laramie Mountains provide a striking contrast for those traveling through the primarily flat to rolling prairies of southeastern Wyoming. Mountains are important to wildlife in Wyoming. As you go up in elevation, the average annual temperature declines, and the average annual precipitation increases. The rugged terrain in the mountains provides south-facing slopes that get an abundance of sunlight, and north-facing slopes that get very little. As you travel, take note of the fact that most trees grow on the north slope, where snow accumulates and soil moisture lasts longer. Rough, rugged terrain provides a variety of holes, cracks and crevices which can be used by animals as dens or nesting areas, and places out of the wind where soil accumulates and different plants can grow. These, in turn, attract a variety of animals. A greater variety of habitats or homes means a greater variety of animals., Contrasting vegetation, topography and large wide-open spaces make Wyoming a home to over 600 species of wildlife which are “Worth the Watching”.