Get to Know the Critters of Colorado with This Guide to the Centennial State by Alex Troutman

Critters of Colorado is the kids’ wildlife pocket guide that’s informative, concise, and easy to use. Written by wildlife biologist Alex Troutman, this handy book presents 63 critters of the Centennial State. If an animal is in this book, it’s found in Colorado.

Each species is showcased in a professional-quality photograph that’s paired with such neat-to-know details as habitat, range, and preferred food sources. Illustrations of the critter’s tracks complement the information, and a “Did You Know?” paragraph provides fascinating trivia worth sharing with family, friends, and teachers. Critters of Colorado includes important-to-know mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Get the perfect kids’ introduction to Colorado’s critters, a subject often used in STEAM lessons! This book is a product of AdventureKEEN’s long-term partnership with Wildlife Forever. A portion of the proceeds from sales will benefit the organization’s work to restore habitats and teach the next generation about conservation.

Did you know?

Bison are the largest hoofed animals in North America. The bison’s thick coat offers protection from the natural elements. In the winter, the coat acts as insulation for the bison by trapping body heat under the fur and preventing snow on its back from melting. Bison can jump 6 feet off the ground and can run around 35 miles per hour! 

Mountain lions are the second largest cat in the western part of the world. The largest is the jaguar. Mountain lions do not roar like other big cats, but rather they scream! They also make other sounds similar to pet cats, like hissing and purring. Mountain lions can jump as high as 18 feet off the ground into a tree. 

The pronghorn is the fastest land animal in North America. It can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour and jump over 20 feet in distance. The pronghorn is only found in North America. Though it looks similar to an antelope, it is not related. They are more closely related to giraffes!

About the author: Alex Troutman is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist and Environmental Educator with a passion for sharing and immersing the younger generation in nature. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree with a focus on Conservation Biology from Georgia Southern University. Knowing how it feels to not see anyone who looks like you in your dream career, Alex makes it a point to be that representation for young people. He is the co-organizer for several Black in X weeks, including Black Birders Week and Black Mammologists Week, and he takes part in wider movements encouraging diversity in nature, the celebration of Black individual scientists, awareness of Black nature enthusiasts, and diversity in STEAM fields.

With a passion for nature that started when he was young, Alex was always amazed by the red-tailed hawks soaring overhead when he went fishing with his family. He looked up to conservationists like Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin. Now he has made a career out of that passion and curiosity. In his spare time, you can find him camping, exploring nature with his dog, and birding. 

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