Agate Fossil Beds National Monument - Animals
The vast space of Agate’s prairie seems empty to some, but a closer look
reveals a rich ecosystem of beetles, rabbits, deer, amphibians, snakes and more.
Agate is home to a diverse variety of wildlife, though it"s not always easy to
find. In addition to animals that make their home year round at Agate, there are
migratory birds, butterflies and moths as well as carnivores whose large range
incorporates the park. At dusk the park comes to life. Coyotes come out in
search of a meal, their yelps and howls filling the quiet nights. Several
species of bats inhabit the park and prey on the abundant miller moths.
Nighthawks swoop through the air in hopes of catching a mosquito. In the cool
hours of the morning, white tail deer, mule deer and pronghorn browse while
snapping turtles prowl the waters of the Niobrara in search of young pike and
brown trout. The rich environment of the prairie is dependant upon the people
who manage it. The staff at Agate strives to study the landscape and develop a
plan to manage the monument to preserve its ecological and cultural history and
restore the native prairie habitat.
|
|
NRS
Billabong
Burton
Black Diamond