The coulee harbors a great abundance and diversity of life mule deer, falcon, marmot, catbird, garter snake, cactus, buffalo berry and others. To many of these animals, it s a nursery, hunting ground, nesting site, or just a highway to new and unexplored territory. Sharp cliffs, gentle slopes and spectacular hoodoos, are vividly portrayed as examples of years of wind and water erosion. The shortgrass prairie is home for three of man s most despised and feared animals snakes, scorpions and spiders. This film shows snakes emerging from winter dens, locomotion, mating, newly born snakes, predation and close-ups of rattles and head.
Scorpions react to ants, eat crickets, and carry babies on their backs.
Ultra close-ups show eyes, mouthparts, pectine organs, pinchers and tail with stinger. Few spider webs are visible on the prairies, but they re there, as are the more obvious wolf spiders, jumping spiders, crab spiders and black widow spiders. Prey catching, egg sac relocation and courtship of the black widow spider are dealt with. The prairie slough is a vital feeding and resting area for thousands of migratory waterfowl. It is also an important habitat for a number of summer residents and the more permanent forms of life such as frogs, insects and cattails.