Friday, June 5, 2015

Plants & Animals In Wisconsin

Beaver is a common animal in Wisconsin wetlands.


The state of Wisconsin lies in the upper midwestern United States between Lake Superior, Upper Michigan, Lake Michigan and the Saint Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Wisconsin enjoys a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers with occasional drought. The weather in Wisconsin is well suited for dairy farming and corn, small grains and hay production. There is a wide range of plants native to Wisconsin. The state is also rich in wildlife resources, with an abundance of animals found in the prairies, savannas, wetlands and forests. Does this Spark an idea?


River Birch


River birch (Betula nigra) is a native tree of Wisconsin and is found mostly in the Wisconsin and Mississippi River Valleys. River birch is a deciduous tree hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9. The tree is moderate to fast-growing with a fine to medium texture. Young river birch trees are pyramidal in shade and assume a more open form as they mature. Plant is areas of sun to partial shade and in a well-drained, damp soil for best growth. River birch has 2- to 3½-inch-long, alternate foliage that assumes yellow shades in fall.


Columbine


Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is native Wisconsin flower that grows in the savannas, woodlands and prairies in its native habitat in the state. Columbine, also referred to as wild columbine, grows to about 2 feet tall and blooms with 1- to 2-inch-long, five-petaled, red and yellow flowers and has compound, fernlike, 4- to 6-inch-wide foliage. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8, wild columbine is an easy-to-grow plant that thrives in areas of full sun to partial or heavy shade. The plant adapts well to moist or dry, acidic or alkaline soils. Wild columbine self-sows freely.


Beaver


Beaver is a common animal in Wisconsin, seen commonly in the northern and southwestern regions of the state and near the Mississippi River. A beaver is about 35 to 46 inches long and weights 30 to 70 pounds, with a glossy, reddish or blackish brown, waterproof fur. The large teeth provide ease in cutting through wood and grow throughout the animal's lifespan. The aquatic eye membranes and closable ears and nostrils are also well adapted to life under water. Beaver lives in wetlands and near river in lodges that it makes with saplings. The animals also build their dens on stream banks, feeding on the bark and branches of cottonwood, aspen and willow trees. Besides these preferred trees, beavers feed on numerous grasses and roots.

Tags: animal Wisconsin, Beaver common, Beaver common animal, common animal, common animal Wisconsin