The alpine biome is one of the coldest biomes on Earth. It is cold, snowy and windy. It is usually below freezing at night. Alpine biomes are located on mountains. They are below the snow line. The altitude is high. The word alpine comes from the word "alps." Alps mean high mountains.

In the alpine biome, winter lasts from October to May. Summer may last from June to September. Sunlight in an alpine biome can be dangerous. The high altitude cannot filter the rays. The temperature in an alpine biome can change from warm to freezing in one day!

Plants must adapt to heavy snow and wind in an alpine biome. Plants grow in sandy and rocky soil. Most plants protect themselves by hugging the ground. They are small and grow slowly. There are only about 200 kinds of alpine plants.

Tall trees cannot grow in the alpine biome. The Bristlecone Pine lives there. It is a short tree. The trunk of the pine is twisted from the wind. The Bristlecone pine is the oldest known tree species in the world.

Only warm-blooded animals live in the alpine biome. Some alpine animals adapt to the cold by hibernating. Some move to warmer areas. Others insulate their bodies with layers of fat. Alpine animals will often have shorter legs, tails and ears. The shorter body parts help keep the heat in the body. Alpine animals also have larger lungs. This helps them breathe in high altitudes.

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