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Cool climates, dense fog and high precipitation characterize temperate rain forests. They are found in only a few regions of the world, including the northwest coasts of North America. Because of their proximity to ocean coastlines, temperature fluctuations are small, with mild winters and cool summers. The dominant vegetation type is large evergreen trees such as hemlock, fir, spruce and cedar. Epiphytes of mosses, lichens, and ferns are also common. Animal life includes bear, elk, mule deer, numerous bird species and several species of reptiles and amphibians. In the coastal waters fish and marine mammals abound, including salmon, halibut, whales, porpoises, seals, sea otter and more. This page was last updated on December 11, 1999.