Montane -Of the three mountain areas this is the most moderate temperature, plenty of food plants for animals, plus good trees and bushes for shelter or cover. Streams are small and fordable by large animals. Alpine -the harshest of the all zones for cold, snow and short growing season, but a favorite area for elk to graze in summers. Winter temperatures are coldest and snows deepest here at the top of the world. All zones have animals that have adapted to a zones particular characteristics like hibernation during cold alpine and sub-alpine winters, special markings and residential habits where cover and trees are sparse, methods in the driest climates to avoid overheating and obtaining moisture from the foods they eat.
All zones have predators that hunt their prey in all zones.
Usually in the Alpine Zone predators follow the animals they prey on as their prey migrates to milder and lower altitude climates. Many baby animals, like the Antelope, within a few hours of being born are able to run and elude predators. Some amphibians and insects have several life cycles. Frog eggs become tadpoles then their next metamorphosis cycle is into frogs. Similarly, butterfly eggs are laid one season, hatch as caterpillars which go into a cocoon larva stage, and emerge the next year as butterflies.