The table below shows samples of conditions within Minnesota's biomes.
Biome | Average Annual Rainfall | Average Annual Temp. | Vegetation Examples | Animal Examples | Average Growing Season |
Tall Aspen Parkland Biome | 20"–22" | 35°–44° F | - Aspen
- Heart-Leaved
Willow - Wiregrass Sedge
- Small White Lady’s
Slipper - Little Bluestem
| - Sharp-Tailed Grouse
- Sandhill Crane
- American Bittern
- Canadian Toad
- American Elk
| 90–130 days |
Coniferous Forest Biome | 21"-32" | 36°–41° F | - Black Spruce
- Northern White Cedar
- Balsam Fir
- Red Pine
- Fly Honeysuckle
| - Wood Frog
- Boreal Chickadee
- Compton's Tortoise Shell Butterfly
- Gray Wolf
- Moose
| 90–100 days |
Deciduous Forest Biome | 23"-35" | 39°–45° F | - Northern Red Oak
- American Basswood
- Sugar Maple
- Prickly Gooseberry
- Rue Anemone
| - Eastern Hognose Snake
- Cerulean Warbler
- Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
- Gray Fox
- Opossum
- Eastern Sotted Skunk
| 100–130 days |
Prairie Grassland Biome | 18"-33" | 37°–45° F | - Big Bluestem
- Blazing Star
- Purple Prairie Clover
- Prairie Dropseed
- Leadplant
| - Great Plains Toad
- Greater Prairie Chicken
- Upland Sandpiper
- Pocket Gopher
- Badger
| 130–180 days |
For a fun way to learn about Minnesota’s biomes, plants, and animals, check out the Junior Ranger Program at a state park near you.
