Alpine

=The Alpine Biome=

All mountain regions around the world are Alpine biomes. This biome specifically lies just below the snow line. It takes less than a whole day for temperatures to go from moderatly worm to below freezing.

Plants in this biome: - Most of the plants in this biome are short and hug the ground.
 * Bear Grass
 * Alpine Phacelia
 * Bristlecone Pine
 * Polylepis Forest
 * Pygmy Bitterroot
 * Wild Potato

Animals in this biome: - The animals in this biome are exposed to alot of UV radiation from the sun and are exposed to extreme cold weather.
 * Alpaca
 * Andean Condor
 * Chinchilla
 * Llama
 * Mountain Goat
 * Snow Leopard
 * Vicuna
 * Yak

><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

__**\/ Vince Bevivino \/**__
__**Snow Leopard**__
 * Height** About 2 feet (shoulder height)
 * Length** 6-7.5 feet (includes 40-inch tail length)
 * Weight** 77-121 pounds; females about 30% smaller than males
 * Lifespan:** Snow Leopards can live up to 21 years in captivity

Alpine spider //Pardosa paramushirensis// 3,000 meters above sea level Alpine Phacelia **Common Name(s):** Silky Phacelia, Purple Fringe ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
 * Genus:** Phacelia
 * Species:** sericea

A short, upright, hairy leaves one to two odd pinnate. Grows to a height of 5 to 20 cm, with several upright and hairy stems.


 * Mike Alio

Chinchilla** They are an endangered species. They have a silvery gray pelt with black tipped hair. Males : 500 grams Females: 600-800 grams They have big ears and eyes. Live in clans of 100. Lifespan: 10 years Nocturnal Herbivores Females give birth to three 35 gram babies a litter.

 Genus: Silene Species: Acaulis 5-15 cm tall Hugs the ground for warmth.
 * Moss Campion**

** Lives on rock tors. Lifespan: 2-3 breeding seasons. Nocturnal Female can lay up to 300 eggs and will hatch in 3-5 months. Wetas eat other invertebrates, leaves, flowers and fruits.
 * Alpine Weta


 * Monique Sampaolo

The Alpine plant life includes the Bear Grass, Bristlecone Pine, and many others. Each of these plants have special characteristics that allow it to survive in this specific biome. The animal life in this biome also has specific characteristics as well.

**


 * [[image:http://www.horticultureunlimited.com/images/plant/bear_grass_2.jpg align="left"]]The Bear Grass, or more commonly known as Silk Phaceloa or Purple Fringe, ** ** which actually does resembles grass, grows to about 4.5 feet tall. This plant can be found under the alpine larch, which is close to the upper timberlands (or the rocky sites). The flowers of this plant bloom from bottom to top and have a white or creamy completion to them. Also, what makes this plant very unique is that the Bear Grass is fire resistant and is the first plant to grow after a fire. **



(sources - picture: http://www.horticultureunlimited.com/images/plant/bear_grass_2.jpg information: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine_plant_page.htm) **

=
The **Bristlecone Pine** is very unique because of it's appearance. It gives off the appearance of a tree that has been around for dozens of centuries. Within the Alpine biome, this plant takes home in the arid regions of 6 western states in America. This plants survival strategy in this harsh environment is when "much of the bark and tissue that conduct water dies back after the tree is damaged by fire, drought or storms. This reduces the nutrients the tree has to supply to tissue and balances the result of the damage."======

(sources - picture: http://www.somosprimos.com/sp2006/spjan06/pinetree.jpg information: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine_plant_page.htm)

The **Alpaca**, which is closely related to the llama, is an easily domesticated animal. That may be why it as an extensive history with the Incas. They are described as being warm, friendly, and gentle. The Alpaca's mating period extends from August to September. On average, they live between 15-25 years. To survive in this biome, the Alpaca has a thick layer of fur and feeds off of only plant life.

(sources - picture: http://www.zodiacranch.com/pictures/ information: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine_animal_page.htm)



SANDI MULI

Hutchinsia alpina or Pritzelago alpina Brassicaceae family native to the mountains of Southern and Central Europen is sometimes grown as an ornamental plants in gardens (( [] )) (( [] ))
 * Hornungia Alpina*

The species become active during the Alpine summer, from about the beginning of May to October. During this period it is mainly nocturnal, although on the occasion of heavy rains it becomes diurnal. The diet consists in a wide range of terrestrial invertebrates, varying upon the period of the season. Little is known about its breeding habits, although observations seem to indicate that the species copulate at the end of the summer. The pregnancy lasts at least 2 years, and the number of salamanderlets is variable from 1 to 6. The youngs are immediately adapted to the terrestrial life. (( [] )) (( [] ))
 * Lanza's Alpine Salamander*


 * Scarce Swallowtail*

 //Helmetcrests and hillstars rarely leave this//  //alpine// //habitat, except// //for// //warmth.// //periods of longer snow cover. Then they shift to the upper páramo, an open, grass-dominated vegetation with scattered stands of small trees and shrubs,//