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Education > Montana WILD > Educator Resources Adopt-a-Species Program

Bald Eagle

Bats

  1. “Going to Bat for Bats” MT Outdoors Article July-August 2011: https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/montana-outdoors/2011/bats.pdf
  2. “Searching for Something They Don’t Want to Find” MT Outdoors Nov.-Dec. 2019: https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/montana-outdoors/2019/wns_bats.pdf
  3. Animal Diversity Web has great information about all 15 species, you just need to look them up: https://animaldiversity.org/
  4. Montana DNRC Guide to Bat Habitat: https://dnrc.mt.gov/MT-Forest-Info/Forest Health/Images/BatBrochure_updated_draft.pdf

Beaver

  1. Beaver, website: www.kidsnationalgeographic.com

This page includes photos, basic facts, a 29min video following a year in the life of the engineering beaver.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/beaver

  1. Activities to Beaver Away at Home, compiled by the Beaver Trust, website: www.beavertrust.org,

A dozen beaver activities for teachers to download have been compiled. The site is free of ads and the downloads are all appropriate and safe. Some of the activities are word searches, mazes, dot to dots, and hands on activities.

https://beavertrust.org/education/activities-for-kids/

  1. Beaver, www.animalfunfacts.net,

This page includes interesting and informative paragraphs on the characteristics, lifecycle, and habitat of the beaver as well as large detailed photos. There is a great photo of the beaver’s teeth. At the bottom of the page, there are links to two short videos.

  1. North American Beaver Facts For Kids & Adults: Pictures, Information & Video, by Active Wild Admin, Dec. 23, 2016, website: www.activewild.com,

This page includes basic facts and information about the North American beaver. The video link does not seem to work.

https://www.activewild.com/north-american-beaver-facts-for-kids/

  1. How to draw a Beaver, How2DrawAnimals, Jan. 13, 2015, youtube video - 8min 32sec.

Step by step instructions on how to draw a beaver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZBcu7chi-

Big Horn Sheep

  1. NatureMapping Animal Facts for Kids Bighorn Sheep, Washington, website: www.naturemappingfoundation.org,   

Short descriptive and informative paragraphs and pictures about physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat. http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/bighorn_sheep_k6.html

  1. Baby Bighorn Sheep, San Diego Zoo Kids, October 13,2017, Youtube video - 1min. 30sec.

A short video that introduces baby bighorn sheep color change and horns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtf3iXo3MsY

  1. Animal Facts: Bighorn Sheep, Kids by CAN GEO Staff, updated Oct. 21, 2024, website: www.canadiangeographic.ca

Fast facts, descriptive paragraphs, and beautiful photos.

https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/animal-facts-bighorn-sheep/#

  1. Bighorn Sheep, updated August 7, 2020, website: www.MontanaKids.com

Information on behaviors, habitats, and life cycle of the bighorn sheep.To access this page from home page, select “Plants & Animals”. Scroll down to the bottom of Osprey article, and click on “”Learn about more animals.”

https://montanakids.com/plants_and_animals/Animals/bighorn_sheep.htm

  1. National Bighorn Sheep Center / Youth Resources, The National Bighorn Sheep Center, Dubois, WY, website: www.bighorn.org

This page has multiple links to videos, wildlife cartoons, and student activities about bighorn sheep, including a step by step PDF on how to draw bighorn sheep.

https://bighorn.org/educational-materials/

  1. Bighorn Sheep - The Mountain Sheep, website: easyscienceforkids.com,     Interesting and informative fun facts, vocabulary, and a short video. https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-bighorn-sheep/
  2. WSU Study Examines Forest Fire Suppression Effects on Bighorn Sheep Habitat, CAHNRS News, Feb 2, 2012, website: news.cahnrs.wsu.edu,           Professor Mark Swanson from WSU studies the impact of wildfire and prescribed burns on the habitat and success of the bighorn sheep population in Sinlahekin Wilderness in Washington. https://news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-study-examines-forest-fire-suppression-effects-on-bighorn-sheep-habitat/
  3. How to Draw a Bighorn Sheep, website: supercoloring.org

Step by step tutorial on drawing a bighorn sheep ram. Click on the word print at the very top of the page. Portrait printing is 3 pages, Landscape is 6 pages.

https://www.supercoloring.com/drawing-tutorials/how-to-draw-a-bighorn-sheep?version=print

  1. How to Draw a Bighorn Ram, How2Draw Animals, Feb 24, 2015, youtube video - 8min.

Step by step tutorial for drawing a bighorn sheep ram.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd50PjuE7fo

Bison

  1. Bison, updated August 10, 2020, website: www.MontanaKids.com

Information on behaviors, habitats, and life cycle of the bison.To access this page from home page, select “Plants & Animals”. Scroll down to the bottom of Osprey article, and click on “”Learn about more animals.”

https://montanakids.com/plants_and_animals/Animals/bison.htm

  1. American Bison, website: www.kids.nationalgeographic.com,

This page includes photos, basic facts, a short video of bison in Yellowstone.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/american-bison

  1. 15 Facts About Bison, May 9, 2016, website: www.nps.gov,

Interesting and concise list of bison facts, This site has many links to other articles.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/15-facts-about-bison.htm

  1. American bison, website: www.animalsatozforkids.com

This page includes an introduction to the bison, key facts, links to a worksheet, and a short very informative video.

https://www.animalsatozforkids.com/american-bison/

  1. Bison for Kids | Learn About Wild Animals for Kids, by Media Pixelogy, Oct. 28, 2024, youtube video - 1min. 29sec.

Short interesting video geared towards elementary students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYGzJS9wYT0

  1.  What’s a Bison? 🦬 Fun Bison Facts for Kids!, by Pip Academy, September 25, 2024, youtube video - 3min. 48sec.

Up-beat, interesting video with fun facts about Bison geared for kids.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlkLpknLnsE

  1. Bison Fun for Kids, website: www.alphabetanimals.com,

Bison facts, videos, and links to other websites.

https://alphabetimals.com/printable-activities/free-bison-coloring-page/

  1. Bison Song for Kids | Fun Wild Animal Song, by EzyEnglish, March 4, 2025, youtube video - 3min. 5sec.

Fun, factual, and catchy song about bison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9npVIaF66oM

  1. How to draw a Bison, by How2DrawAnimals, Nov. 26, 2021, youtube video - 14min. 47sec.

Step by step directions for drawing a bison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofVipEq-xqs

Black Bear

  1. Red-Tailed Hawk, website: www.kids.nationalgeographic.com,

This page includes photos, basic facts, a short video of red-tailed hawk.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/red-tailed-hawk

  1. 8 Interesting Facts About Red-Tailed Hawk, website: www.coolkidfacts.com,

This website includes interesting facts and basic information about the red-tailed hawk.

https://www.coolkidfacts.com/red-tailed-hawk-facts/

  1. Red-tailed hawk, website: www.wiki.kidzsearch.com,

This website includes fun facts basic information and links to several short videos.

https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Red-tailed_hawk

  1. Junior Ranger, Jr. Explores Hawks, from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, last updated Dec. 8, 2020, website: www.nps.gov,

This site includes facts, basic information, links to a coloring page, links to audio of the red-tailed hawk’s call, and links to other resources.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/junior-ranger-jr-hawks.htm

  1. How to Draw a Hawk (Harris’s Hawk), How2DrawAnimals, Jan 22, 2022, youtube video - 14min. 19sec.

Step by step video of how to draw a hawk. This is not specifically a red-tailed hawk. The shape is accurate, but be sure to check for accurate color patterns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C2e6ruRG_

Black Footed Ferret

  1. Black Footed Ferret Facts – All About Black Footed Ferret, July 17, 2025, website: www.kidsfeed.com

Bulleted information on characteristics, behavior, habitat, life cycle, predators, reintroduction, and more. The information is well organized and concise.

https://kidzfeed.com/black -footed-ferret-facts/

  1. BFFs: All about Black-Footed Ferrets, WWF Wild Classroom

A printable infographic PDF about black-footed ferrets. There is a second page of questions; however the corresponding information sheet is no longer available. The first page is very informative and possible few laminated copies could be added to the trunk.

https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/EducatorsToolkitFile/file/4kw1ps7or5_Wild_Classroom_Black_footed_Ferrets_Endangereds_Final.pdf

  1. Black-footed Ferret, website: www.worldwildlife.org

Informative facts of the black-footed ferret. Keep scrolling for more information about the threats to, the importance of, and restoration efforts for the black-footed ferret. A 3min. video about the restoration efforts in Fort Belknapp is also included.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/black-footed-ferret

  1. Whizpops! Black Footed Ferret Music Video, SciShow Kids, April 19, 2016, youtube video 2min. 50 sec.

Wonderful, fun, catchy song about black-footed ferrets in Prairedog Town. They sing that although their numbers are down, you can’t count them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnrZug7yZ3Q

  1. Black-Footed Ferret Educational Resources KITS & KIDS, website: www.blackfootedferret.org

Coloring, puzzles, videos, and other activities designed for youths to have some fun while learning about this unique endangered species.

https://www.blackfootedferret.org/kid-resources.html

  1. How to Draw a Black-Footed Ferret, Art Land, April 21, 2020, youtube video - 6min. 48sec.

Step by step directions for drawing a black-footed ferret.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFGK2O-M9T8

  1. Black-Footed Ferret, Abeline Zoo, website: www.abelinezoo.org

Short, informative paragraphs on habitat, characteristics, behavior, conservation status, and fun facts.

https://abilenezoo.org/animals/black-footed-ferret/

Bobcat

Grey Wolf

Moose

Mountain Goat

Mountain Lions

 

  1. 16 Cool Facts About Mountain Lions (America’s Elusive Big Cats), Fun Facts and Trivia, by Stacey Brenton, last updated March 13, 2025, website: exploringanimals.com 

Short descriptive and informative paragraphs about physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat. Each section contains links for sources and additional information. https://exploringanimals.com/cool-facts-about-mountain-lions/

  1. Puma Facts, edited by Active Wild Admin, October 30,2017, website: activewild.com,

Short descriptive and informative paragraphs about physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat. This site also contains videos and links for sources and additional information. https://www.activewild.com/puma-facts/

  1. Cameras Reveal the Secret Lives of a Mountain Lion Family / Short Film Showcase, National Geographic, Sep 18 2016, youtube video - 6min.16sec.

A short film of footage captured by motion-triggered cameras in secluded areas deep in the Wyoming Wind River range shows a mountain lion family and the animals' unknown social bonds. This short documentary produced by WildFutures (http://wildfutures.us/), shows how hard it can be to be a mountain lion, as they face an increasing loss of habitat, harsh winters, trophy hunters and even predators. One cub is lost to an attack by a pack of wolves and another to trophy hunting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utK9mhiN56M

  1. Cougar Facts for Kids, by eslevy17, website: wizzley.com

Descriptive and informative paragraphs on the mountain lions’ characteristics, behavior, habitat, and fun facts. The site includes photos, book suggestions, and a short video link.

https://wizzley.com/cougar-facts-for-kids/

  1. How to Draw a Cougar (Mountain Lion), How2DrawAnimals, youtube video - 14 min.

Step by step video instructions on drawing a mountain lion. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XAugjVis4

  1. Mountain Lions, updated August 12, 2020, website MontanaKids.com

Information on mountain lions’ behaviors, habitats, and life cycle.  To access this page from home page, select “Plants & Animals”. Scroll down to the bottom of Osprey article, and click on “”Learn about more animals.”

https://montanakids.com/plants_and_animals/Animals/mountain_lions.htm

  1. The Impact of Wildfire and Wildfire Management on Mountain Lions, by Paige Munson, Sep 23,2024, website: Mountainlion.org, This article addresses the impact of fire, but is not written for kids. The lexile is too high for kids. https://mountainlion.org/2024/09/03/the-impact-of-wildfire-and-wildfire-management-on-mountain-lions/
  2. Mountain Lion, website: www.kids.nationalgeographic.com,

This page includes photos, basic facts, a short video of the mountain lion.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/mountain-lion

Owls

  1. Step by step instructions on how to draw a Great Horned Owl
  2. Montana Field guide
  3. Video on owl’s silent flight
  4. Two-part documentary (about 6 minutes each) on Owls in Montana.  
    1. Episode 1
    2. Episode 2
  5. The “good enough” guide to identifying Montana’s 15 owl species
  6. Educational materials from the Owl Research Institute, located in Charlo Montana. Including species information and live nest cameras.
  7. Cornell Lab of Ornithology has great information pages for each species of owl. Simply type the species name into the search bar in the upper right.

Pine Marten

  1. Black Footed Ferret Facts – All About Black Footed Ferret, July 17, 2025, website: www.kidsfeed.com

Bulleted information on characteristics, behavior, habitat, life cycle, predators, reintroduction, and more. The information is well organized and concise.

https://kidzfeed.com/black -footed-ferret-facts/

  1. BFFs: All about Black-Footed Ferrets, WWF Wild Classroom

A printable infographic PDF about black-footed ferrets. There is a second page of questions; however the corresponding information sheet is no longer available. The first page is very informative and possible few laminated copies could be added to the trunk.

https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/EducatorsToolkitFile/file/4kw1ps7or5_Wild_Classroom_Black_footed_Ferrets_Endangereds_Final.pdf

  1. Black-footed Ferret, website: www.worldwildlife.org

Informative facts of the black-footed ferret. Keep scrolling for more information about the threats to, the importance of, and restoration efforts for the black-footed ferret. A 3min. video about the restoration efforts in Fort Belknapp is also included.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/black-footed-ferret

  1. Whizpops! Black Footed Ferret Music Video, SciShow Kids, April 19, 2016, youtube video 2min. 50 sec.

Wonderful, fun, catchy song about black-footed ferrets in Prairedog Town. They sing that although their numbers are down, you can’t count them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnrZug7yZ3Q

  1. Black-Footed Ferret Educational Resources KITS & KIDS, website: www.blackfootedferret.org

Coloring, puzzles, videos, and other activities designed for youths to have some fun while learning about this unique endangered species.

https://www.blackfootedferret.org/kid-resources.html

  1. How to Draw a Black-Footed Ferret, Art Land, April 21, 2020, youtube video - 6min. 48sec.

Step by step directions for drawing a black-footed ferret.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFGK2O-M9T8

  1. Black-Footed Ferret, Abeline Zoo, website: www.abelinezoo.org

Short, informative paragraphs on habitat, characteristics, behavior, conservation status, and fun facts.

https://abilenezoo.org/animals/black-footed-ferret/

Porcupine

  1. “Where have all the porcupines gone?” MT Outdoors Article March-April 2015
  1. Pops on the Trail Youtube Channel – North American Porcupine
  1. “The Greedy Porcupine” A story from the Northern Shoshone Tribe
  1. Identifying and Preventing Porcupine Damage to Trees

Red Fox

Red Tailed Hawk

  1. Red-Tailed Hawk, website: www.kids.nationalgeographic.com,

This page includes photos, basic facts, a short video of red-tailed hawk.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/red-tailed-hawk

  1. 8 Interesting Facts About Red-Tailed Hawk, website: www.coolkidfacts.com,

This website includes interesting facts and basic information about the red-tailed hawk.

https://www.coolkidfacts.com/red-tailed-hawk-facts/

  1. Red-tailed hawk, website: www.wiki.kidzsearch.com,

This website includes fun facts basic information and links to several short videos.

https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Red-tailed_hawk

  1. Junior Ranger, Jr. Explores Hawks, from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, last updated Dec. 8, 2020, website: www.nps.gov,

This site includes facts, basic information, links to a coloring page, links to audio of the red-tailed hawk’s call, and links to other resources.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/junior-ranger-jr-hawks.htm

  1. How to Draw a Hawk (Harris’s Hawk), How2DrawAnimals, Jan 22, 2022, youtube video - 14min. 19sec.

Step by step video of how to draw a hawk. This is not specifically a red-tailed hawk. The shape is accurate, but be sure to check for accurate color patterns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C2e6ruRG_

Reptiles and Amphibians

River Otter

  1. USFS information about how river otter habitat may be affect by fires.
  1. Smithsonian National Zoo Live Stream about Ecosystems with Otters
  1. Nat Geo clip of Otters in Yellowstone Winter
  1. River Otter Ecology Project “Otters 101”
  1. Montana Field Guide
  1. Pocket Montana guide to Otters

White Tail Deer

  1. 24 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About White-Tailed Deer, by Lucas Sanders, May 26, 2025, website animalko.com

Short, clear, concise paragraphs on white-tailed deer, including photos and links to sources. Information includes physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat. https://animalko.com/fun-facts-about-white-tailed-deer/

  1. White-tailed Deer: Graceful Icons of North America, from Familiarity with Animals FWA, Sept, 8, 2024, youtube video - 3 min.

A video on white-tailed deer life cycle, adaptations, antler growth, and role in the ecosystem.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gRgh6orJQ6E

  1. White Tailed Deer Facts: the SMALLEST North American Deer, from Animal Fact Files, July 19, 2023, youtube video -

A short informative video on interesting facts about white tailed deer including habitat, adaptations, and physical characteristics.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dJEQLPdDtv4

  1. 51 Top Facts About White-Tailed Deer, by Editorial Staff, last updated on August 11, 2023, website www.theFACTfile.org

Short, interesting answers to frequently asked questions about white-tailed deer, including photos and links to sources. Information includes physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and more.

https://thefactfile.org/white-tailed-deer-facts/

  1. Whitetail deer coloring pages of a buck and a fawn, provided by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.  https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/white-tailed-deer-coloring-sheets.pdf
  2. How to Draw a Deer (White-Tailed Deer), How2DrawAnimals, youtube video - 16 min. 11 sec.

Step by step video instructions on drawing a white tailed deer buck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw7EV4KINJU

  1. White-tailed Deer - Background, White-tailed Deer - Activities, Nearby Nature Four Winds Nature Institute, website: www.nearbynature.fwni.org,

This site offers two sources for learning about the white-tailed deer. The Background page includes basic information about the white-tail’s characteristics, behaviors, and habitat. The Activities page includes hands-on activities including measuring vertical and horizontal jumps, measuring the amount of twigs and buds needed for winter diet, a puppet show, and a tag game. To access these sites from the home page, scroll down to the search bar, type in “white-tail deer activities” or “white-tail deer behavior”. Then, click on the title.

https://nearbynature.fwni.org/2018/10/24/white-tailed-deer-activities/

https://nearbynature.fwni.org/2018/10/24/white-tailed-deer-background/

  1. White-tailed Deer, updated August 12, 2020, website: www.MontanaKids.com

Information on behaviors, habitats, and life cycle of the white-tailed deer.To access this page from home page, select “Plants & Animals”. Scroll down to the bottom of Osprey article, and click on “”Learn about more animals.”

https://montanakids.com/plants_and_animals/Animals/white-tail_deer.htm

8. How Do Wildfires Impact Deer & Elk, by: Mike Hills, Aug. 25, 2020 website: Montananaturalist.org,

This is a broadcast about the impact of fire on deer and elk. The transcript is also included. The author gives first hand account that fire can improve food supplies for elk and deer. 

https://www.montananaturalist.org/blog-post/how-do-wildfires-impact-deer-elk/