Free Printable Biomes of North America

This free printable features six major biomes of North America: deserts, grasslands, temperate forests, tropical forests, wetlands, and polar regions/tundra with photos of representative regions.

North America is home to many different types of natural environments, called biomes. A biome is a large area of land with a specific climate, plants, and animals. Each biome is unique and important for keeping our planet healthy and supporting a wide variety of life. Each of these biomes has its own special features.

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This set features the following biomes and representative regions:

• Deserts- Sonoran Desert
• Grasslands- The Prairies
• Temperate Forests- North Carolina, USA
• Tropical Forests- Costa Rica
• Wetlands- Florida Everglades
• Polar Regions/Tundra- The Arctic, Canada
• Mountains
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Let’s take a closer look at these biomes of North America

Deserts- Sonoran Desert

Deserts are dry, hot places with very little rainfall. They might seem empty, but they are full of life that has adapted to survive in tough conditions. One of the deserts in North America is the Sonoran Desert.

Sonoran Desert

• Location and Size: The Sonoran Desert spans southwestern Arizona and southeastern California in the USA, and extends into northwestern Mexico. It covers approximately 100,000 square miles.
• Climate and Weather Patterns: This desert is known for its extremely hot summers and mild winters. It gets around 3 to 15 inches of rain per year, making it one of the wettest deserts in the world.
• Unique Flora and Fauna: Despite the harsh conditions, many plants and animals live here. The Sonoran Desert is famous for its iconic saguaro cactus, which can grow over 40 feet tall. Other plants like the prickly pear and ocotillo thrive here too. Animals such as the Gila monster, javelina, and the cactus wren have special adaptations to survive the heat and scarce water.
• Famous Attractions: The Sonoran Desert is home to the Saguaro National Park in Arizona. This park is famous for its giant saguaro cacti and beautiful desert landscapes. Visitors come to hike, camp, and learn about the unique plants and animals that live in this desert. Another attraction is the Sonoran Desert National Monument, which protects a large area of this unique ecosystem.

Deserts like the Sonoran Desert might look barren, but they are full of life that has learned to thrive in extreme conditions. The plants and animals found here are true survivors, making deserts a fascinating biome to explore.

Grasslands- The Prairies

Grasslands are large, open areas where grasses are the main plants. These areas have few trees and are known for their wide, rolling landscapes. The central grasslands of North America are called the prairies.

The Prairies

• Location and Size: The prairies are located in the central part of North America, stretching across parts of the United States and Canada. They cover millions of acres, forming one of the largest ecosystems on the continent.
• Climate and Weather Patterns: The prairies have a moderate climate with hot summers and cold winters. They receive more rainfall than deserts, but less than forests, which is just enough to support grasses but not many trees.
• Unique Flora and Fauna: The prairies are home to many different grasses like bluegrass and buffalo grass. These grasses provide food and shelter for a variety of animals. Bison, prairie dogs, and pronghorn antelope are some of the well-known animals that live here. Birds like the meadowlark and the prairie chicken also thrive in this biome.
• Famous Attractions: The prairies are well known for their rich soil, which makes them one of the best places for farming in North America. Crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans are commonly grown here, making the prairies an important agricultural region.

Grasslands like the prairies are vast and full of life. The open spaces and unique ecosystems make them a vital part of North America’s natural landscape. Whether it’s the grazing bison or the chirping prairie dogs, the prairies are a wonderful example of nature’s beauty and resilience.

Temperate Forests- North Carolina, USA

Temperate forests are areas with moderate temperatures and plenty of rainfall, which support a wide variety of trees and other plant life.

North Carolina, USA

• Location and Size: The temperate forests in North Carolina cover large portions of the state, from the coastal plains to the mountains. These forests are part of the larger Appalachian forest region along the east coast.
• Climate and Weather Patterns: North Carolina’s temperate forests experience four distinct seasons: warm summers, cool autumns, cold winters, and mild springs. The region receives ample rainfall throughout the year, which helps support the lush plant life.
• Unique Flora and Fauna: These forests are home to a diverse range of trees, including oak, hickory, maple, and pine. The rich plant life provides habitats for many animals, such as white-tailed deer, black bears, and gray squirrels. Bird species like the cardinal and woodpecker are also common in these forests.
• Famous Attractions: North Carolina’s temperate forests are known for their stunning fall foliage. Every autumn, the leaves of many trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, attracting visitors from all over to see the colorful display. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans North Carolina and Tennessee, is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and enjoying the natural beauty of temperate forests.

Temperate forests like those in North Carolina are vibrant and full of life. The changing seasons and diverse plant and animal species make these forests a fascinating and beautiful biome to explore. Whether it’s the vibrant fall colors or the peaceful forest trails, temperate forests offer a unique and enriching experience of nature.

Tropical Forests- Costa Rica

Tropical forests are warm, humid areas with dense vegetation and a high amount of rainfall throughout the year. These forests are known for their incredible biodiversity. One of the most well-known tropical forests in North America is found in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica

• Location and Size: Costa Rica’s tropical forests are located in Central America. These lush forests cover a significant portion of the country, stretching from the lowlands to the mountainous regions.
• Climate and Weather Patterns: The climate in Costa Rica’s tropical forests is warm and humid year-round, with temperatures usually ranging between 70°F and 90°F. These forests receive a lot of rain, especially during the rainy season, which lasts from May to November.
• Unique Flora and Fauna: Costa Rica’s tropical forests are home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals. Towering trees like mahogany and kapok create a dense canopy, while countless species of orchids, ferns, and bromeliads thrive in the understory. The forests are teeming with wildlife, including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, and brightly colored poison dart frogs. The biodiversity is so rich that Costa Rica is considered one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.
• Famous Attractions: Costa Rica’s tropical forests are famous for their ecotourism opportunities. Places like Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Corcovado National Park attract visitors from around the globe who come to hike, observe wildlife, and experience the breathtaking beauty of the rainforest. The lush greenery, exotic animals, and vibrant plants make these forests a paradise for nature lovers and scientists alike.

Tropical forests like those in Costa Rica are not only beautiful but also vital for the health of our planet. They produce oxygen, store carbon, and provide habitats for countless species. Exploring these rich ecosystems offers a glimpse into the incredible diversity and complexity of life on Earth.

Wetlands- Florida Everglades

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface for part or all of the year. These areas are rich in biodiversity and serve as important habitats for many species. One of the most famous wetlands in North America is the Florida Everglades.

Florida Everglades, USA

• Location and Size: The Florida Everglades are located in southern Florida, USA. This vast network of wetlands spans over 1.5 million acres, making it one of the largest wetlands in the world.
• Climate and Weather Patterns: The Everglades have a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. The wet season lasts from May to November, bringing heavy rains and flooding, while the dry season, from December to April, has less rainfall and lower water levels.
• Unique Flora and Fauna: The Everglades are home to a diverse array of plants and animals. Sawgrass marshes, cypress swamps, and mangrove forests are common plant communities. The wetlands provide critical habitat for numerous animal species, including the American alligator, West Indian manatee, and a variety of wading birds such as herons and egrets. The Everglades are also known for their unique ecosystem, where fresh and saltwater mix, supporting a wide range of aquatic life.
• Famous Attractions: The Florida Everglades are renowned for their unique and diverse wildlife. The Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts millions of visitors each year who come to explore the wetlands by airboat, kayak, or hiking trails. The park is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and opportunities to see rare and endangered species in their natural habitats.

Wetlands like the Florida Everglades are essential for the environment. They act as natural water filters, help control floods, and provide habitats for many species. The beauty and importance of wetlands make them a crucial part of North America’s natural heritage, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Polar Regions/Tundra- The Arctic, Canada

Polar regions, also known as tundra, are cold, harsh environments found near the Earth’s poles. These areas have long winters, short summers, and are characterized by frozen ground called permafrost. One of the well-known tundra regions in North America is the Arctic in Canada.

The Arctic, Canada

• Location and Size: The Arctic tundra covers the northernmost parts of Canada, including regions such as Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon. This vast area spans millions of square miles, making it one of the largest biomes in North America.
• Climate and Weather Patterns: The Arctic tundra has a very cold climate with long, dark winters and short, cool summers. Temperatures can drop to -40°F in winter and rarely rise above 50°F in summer. The tundra receives very little precipitation, mostly in the form of snow.
• Unique Flora and Fauna: Despite the harsh conditions, the Arctic tundra is home to a variety of plants and animals. Low-growing plants like mosses, lichens, and small shrubs dominate the landscape. These plants are adapted to survive in the cold and with limited nutrients. The tundra is also home to animals such as caribou, Arctic foxes, polar bears, and snowy owls. These animals have special adaptations, like thick fur and fat layers, to help them survive the extreme cold.
• Famous Attractions: The Arctic tundra is known for its stunning natural beauty and unique phenomena. Visitors to the region can experience the midnight sun in summer, where the sun never sets, and the polar night in winter, where the sun never rises. The Arctic is also famous for the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, a spectacular natural light display that can be seen in the night sky.

The polar regions and tundra are some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Despite the challenging conditions, they support a unique and fascinating array of life. The beauty and resilience of the Arctic tundra make it a vital and awe-inspiring part of North America’s natural landscape.

Mountains

Mountain biomes are high, rugged areas with different climates and habitats at different heights. The Rockies are one of the most famous mountain ranges in North America, known for their amazing views and variety of plants and animals.

The Rockies

• Location and Size: The Rockies stretch over 3,000 miles from British Columbia in Canada to New Mexico in the United States. They cover many states and provinces, making them one of the most important features of North America.
• Climate and Weather Patterns: The climate in the Rockies changes with height and location. Lower areas have milder weather, while higher areas are colder and get more snow. The Rockies have four seasons: warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
• Unique Flora and Fauna: The Rockies are home to many different plants and animals. At lower elevations, you’ll find forests of pine, fir, and spruce trees. As you go higher, the trees disappear and are replaced by fields of wildflowers and hardy shrubs. Animals like elk, moose, mountain goats, and grizzly bears live here. Birds such as eagles and hawks are often seen flying above the mountains.
• Famous Attractions: The Rockies are famous for their natural beauty and outdoor activities. National parks like Banff and Jasper in Canada and Rocky Mountain National Park in the United States attract millions of visitors each year. These parks offer beautiful views, hiking trails, camping spots, and chances to see wildlife. The Icefields Parkway, a scenic road through the Rockies, lets you see glaciers, turquoise lakes, and towering peaks.

The Rockies are full of natural wonders. From the green forests at the bottom to the snowy peaks at the top, these mountains offer a unique and exciting environment.

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