Animal X-Games: Exploring Species Living at the Edge of their Range

Manitoba is situated in a unique and interesting circumstance ecologically in that the province spans several ecozones from dry, almost treeless prairie, through wet, boreal forest to frozen tundra. Because many animals have quite specific habitat requirements, Manitoba is host to species that are at the edge of their ranges, either at the northern edge for southern species, the southern edge for northern species, or perhaps at eastern or western extremes. How much do we know about where animals live in Manitoba? What happens as animals reach their habitat limits? How do related species interact when they come into contact at edges of their ranges? What might happen with the rapid climate changes that we are experiencing? Join Dr. Randy Mooi, Curator of Zoology at the Manitoba Museum for a wide-ranging talk on these issues using examples from his research on reptiles and amphibians, and examples from birds and mammals.