Colorado Life Zones Info

The desert life zone is in the far southwestern and western part of the state.  Its elevation is from 4000 to 5999 feet above sea level.  Temperatures may get pretty hot during the day in the summer (100 degrees F and higher).  However at night the desert may cool down by 30 degrees F.  Very little precipitation falls in the desert compared to the rest of the state's life zones.

Plants have developed special adaptations to live in such a hot and dry habitat.  Cactuses have a thick waxy outer layer to keep all the water from evaporating.  Sagebrush needs little water to survive.  The plants have also adapted to protect themselves against animals by growing sharp needles and stickers.  In addition, most plants bloom in the spring to reproduce before the hot summer begins.

Animals have adapted by only coming out in the first part of the morning and late afternoon when the sun sets to find food and hunt.  Some animals like the coyote are nocturnal (move around mostly at night). You will find many more reptiles like snakes and lizards in the desert because they are cold blooded (don't produce their own body heat) and the desert is warm enough most of the year.  In winter they find a place to hide and go into a cold sleep like trance.  

Desert (Southwest CO)

Plains

Foothills Life Zone

Montane Life Zone

Subalpine Life Zone

Alpine Life Zone

Turkey Vulture

Other:

Mountain Lion, Mule Deer, Redtailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Desert Cottontail Rabbit