Mammals found in a forested ecosystem are adapted to a life associated with trees. Many species, such as red squirrels, spend a great deal of time in conifer trees while others, such as black bears, use trees for escape cover or for a place to forage. Adaptations include the curved sharp claws of the American marten to aid in climbing; the dark fur of a wolverine for camouflage in the forest shadows; the large paws of a snowshoe hare that help it travel through deep snow; and even the white hair of a mountain goat that helps it blend into these cold, snowy environments.

Black Bear		Wolverine		Canada Lynx		Southern Red-backed Vole
Red Squirrel		American Marten		Snowshoe Hare		Porcupine

Forested birds are adapted for a life associated with trees. Birds tend to occupy specific layers of the forest. The Western tanager nests and feeds on insects high in the trees, while a dusky grouse nests on the ground feeding on seeds and insects, and the Northern pygmy-owl requires a tree cavity for its nest. Some birds such as the Clark’s nutcracker, are associated with white-bark pines, as they feed on the cone seeds, and in so doing, help disperse and plant new trees, especially in burned areas of a forest.

Dusky (Blue) Grouse		Northern Goshawk		Western Tanager		Northern Pygmy-Owl
Dark-eyed Junco		Clark's Nutcracker		Great Gray Owl

Forested amphibians and reptiles have adapted to a short growing season. This is the primary reason that not many species of amphibians and reptiles are found in these northern habitats.

Columbia Spotted Frog		Long-toed Salamander		Rubber Boa

Cold-water fish need the clean oxygenated gravel of high mountain streams to spawn. Although they may live as adults in larger rivers, they annually make a journey to these mountain streams to lay their eggs and for the young to hatch and grow. The clear waters of these streams make it easy for these fish to find aquatic insects by site.

Westslope Cutthroat Trout		Mountain Whitefish		Arctic Graying		Bull Trout