Montana's Habitat

HABITAT is the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows. In simpler terms, it’s what a critter calls “home,” and must include four criteria: food, water, shelter or cover (from weather and/or predators), and places to raise young. The first three items (food, water, and shelter) must be available year round. Places to raise young must be available during the time of year when a particular species reproduces. For example, here in Montana, white-tailed deer usually mate between October and November, and give birth to 1or 2 fawns in late spring or early summer. It is during this time in late spring or early summer that suitable places to hide and raise the fawns must be available. Once the fawns are weaned, at about four months, the need for this particular habitat criterion fades away.

A particular type of habitat is often referred to as an ECOREGION. An ecoregion is defined as a natural community of species of flora and fauna that respond similarly to environmental conditions such as climate, soil, topography, geology, and hydrology. Such communities are commonly identified by the dominant and/or characteristic plant species. However, such ecoregions also represent a myriad of biological and environmental interactions that are inherently a part of each unique natural system. For example, here in Montana, although pronghorn antelope are commonly found in Eastern Montana, they are rarely found in Western Montana. To be more specific, in scientific terms, pronghorn antelope are found in the Level III* Northwestern Great Plains Ecoregion, but are rarely found in the Level III* Northern Rockies Ecoregion.

So why are HABITAT and ECOREGIONS important to you? Well, whether you are hunting with a rifle or a camera, you need to know where to find that critter. Likewise, if you are fishing, you need to understand the needs of that fish species, and whether it is a cold water or warm water species. You're not likely to catch bass in a cold, fast-moving stream!

A thorough understanding of HABITAT and ECOREGIONS is also key to wildlife management agency personnel charged with maintaining healthy populations. Such knowledge is vital for the survival of all wildlife species, regardless of whether it is finned, furred, or feathered!

If we are all to enjoy Montana's wonderful wildlife and wildlands heritage, and if we are to pass this legacy on to furture generations, then we all must understand and protect both the critters and their homes.