- National Animals of Canada: Beaver and Canadian Horse
- Approximate Number of Animal Species in Canada (Excluding Insects, Bacteria, Viruses, Invertebrates)*: 1,950
- Most Dangerous Animal in Canada: Moose
By landmass, Canada is the world’s second-largest country and home to approximately 200 mammal species, between 462 and 467 native bird species, 43 amphibian species, 43 reptile species, and 1,200 fish species. Unlike the United States and Mexico — North America’s two other nations — Canada is not a megadiverse country. Nevertheless, it’s wide-open spaces and relatively low human population make it a wildlife wonderland.
*Species counts are constantly changing.
Below, you’ll find a complete list of Canadian animals — with fantastic pictures! We currently track 494 animals in Canada and add more daily!
Canadian Wildlife Geography
Canada is 9.9 square kilometers, containing 15 terrestrial eco-zones and five marine ones. Scientists believe 70,000 to 80,000 plant and animal species occupy the landmass, and an equal number have yet to be discovered.
Canada’s southwest region is a mix of rainforest, desert, and continental climate zones, which the Rockies separate from the middle plains and eastern temperate zones. Further north, tundra conditions persist, and parts of the country lie above the Arctic Circle.
Canadian Animals
Englishman Samuel Hearne, an 18th-century explorer, fur trader, and naturalist, was the first person to record Canadian animals during his 1795 expedition. John Richardson followed it up with the Fauna Boreali-Americana in 1829. Today, people interested in Canadian wildlife and animals typically subscribe to The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Canada Journal of Zoology. French speakers can pick up Le Naturaliste Canadien.
The most recent Canadian animal count stands at 200 mammals, about 692 birds, 43 reptiles, and 43 amphibians.
Animals in Canada: Mammals
Canada is known for its giant residents: moose, wood bison, polar bears, and grizzlies. But in terms of population, rodents are the most plentiful mammals in Canada. Scientists have currently recorded about 200 mammals in the country, and the list ranges from bats to blue whales to bobcats.
Common Mammals in Canada
Animals in Canada: Avifauna
When you search “number of bird species in Canada,” you’ll get many different answers. Some counts only include types native to Canada, some are lists of birds that never leave Canadian airways, and still others are giant listings of every bird that’s ever crossed the border.
We think a good count for the number of birds in Canada is about 687 and 692. That includes between 462 and 467 birds endemic to the country, plus 225 accidental species that immigrated, either by choice or force, and stayed — or visit for half the year.
Common Birds in Canada
Animals in Canada: Fish
Over one thousand species of fish torpedo through Canada’s waters. Most famously, the country is a salmon haven, and anglers flock for the annual runs on both the east and west coasts.
Common Fresh-Water Fish in Canada
- Rainbow Trout
- Arctic Char
- Brook Trout
Common Salt-Water Fish in Canada
- Atlantic Cod
- Haddock
- Halibut
Animals in Canada: Reptiles
Surprisingly, the reptile world is widely represented in the Great White North. Crocodiles are the only reptile group not represented in Canada.
Common Reptiles in Canada
National Animals of Canada: Beaver and Canadian Horse
What is Canada’s national animal? Many people assume it’s the moose or polar bear, but it’s actually the beaver and Canadian horse.
National Animal of Canada: North American Beaver
On March 24, 1975, the North American beaver became Canada’s National Animal when lawmakers passed the National Symbol of Canada Act, which recognized the animal as “a symbol of the sovereignty of Canada.”
When people first learn this fun fact, the reaction is typically a “say-whaaa?” side-eye. But any proud Canadian will set skeptics straight immediately. They’ll explain that beavers are hard-working, highly intelligent, and can build structures visible from space! “What better animal is there to celebrate and uplift!?” they may scoff. And we agree: beavers are incredible.
Four Fun Facts About Beavers
- Beaver lodges are sturdy, comfy, and safe. To evade predators, they build underwater entrances. Inside, there are two rooms: one is a “mudroom,” where beavers dry off and clean themselves. The other is a dry, warm, toasty den where they hang out and socialize.
- Built-in swimming goggles? Beavers have them. When swimming, their transparent eyelids “switch on.” They act like goggles and allow beavers to keep their eyes open underwater.
- Why are beavers always gnawing on things? It’s their teeth — which never stop growing! To keep their fangs under control, beavers continuously file them down by chewing on bark, buds, stems, and twigs.
- Occasionally, beavers will kindly open up their lodges to muskrat families in need.
- In 1621, Sir William Alexander was the first person to include a beaver in a recognized coat of arms.
National Animal of Canada: Canadian Horse
In 2002, after a years-long campaign, parliamentarians added a second national animal to its roster: the Canadian horse — aka cheval Canadien.
The species’ descendants track back to the stables of Louis XIV, France’s Sun King, and they’re graceful, muscled, powerful, and calm.
Calvary men who fought in the American Civil War rode Canadian horses almost exclusively, and it nearly extinguished the breed. Once the war ended, Canada passed a ban on exports to regrow the population.
Alongside the United States, Australia, and the Bahamas, Canada is one of four nations with two national animals.
Endangered Canadian Animals
At the time of this writing, according to the Canadian government, 890 of the country’s animals are endangered, vulnerable, or seriously threatened.
The Most Dangerous Animals In Canada Today
The five most dangerous animals in Canada are the moose, black widow spider, prairie rattlesnake, cougar, and polar bear.
Most Dangerous Canadian Animals: Moose
Moose aren’t meat-eaters, so they don’t attack people for food. But the 1,500-pound behemoths do cause catastrophic harm when they collide with cars and ram vehicles. Moose mainly stick to lake streams deep in the woodlands, but they occasionally collide with humans — so watch out!
Most Dangerous Canadian Animals: Black Widow Spider
Black widow spiders live along Canada’s southern border. They like to hang in dark, quiet places, like sheds, under rocks, and beneath woodpiles.
Despite their reputations, black widows do their best to avoid people, and they only bite after exhausting all other options. Thankfully, the black widow spiders found in Canada aren’t venomous enough to kill humans, but they can cause lots of pain — and are deadly to smaller animals.
Most Dangerous Canadian Animals: Prairie Rattlesnake
Prairie rattlesnakes slither around southwestern Alberta, and if you come across one, be very careful! While it’s rare for people to die from their bites, it’s possible, and it’s happened. In 2018, a man lost his life after a prairie rattlesnake struck him during a golf outing. If you get hit, stay calm and call 911 immediately.
Most Dangerous Canadian Animals: Cougar
Cougars, the second heaviest big cat after the jaguar, rarely attack humans, but they will in times of famine. In Canada, they live around the Rocky Mountain region.
Most Dangerous Canadian Animals: Polar Bear
Polar bears and beautiful and deadly! They won’t charge people unless provoked. But if that happens, watch out! Polar bears — which weigh between 330 and 1,200 pounds — have been known to decapitate humans with one swipe of their giant paws.
Canadian Animals FAQ
Where Can I Find the Most Updated List of Endangered Canadian Animals? Canada’s endangered species list is constantly changing. To keep up with the latest counts and assessments, head over to Canada’s List of Wildlife Species at Risk (SARA), an ongoing project maintained by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
What Does the Canadian Wildlife Act Do? The Canadian Wildlife Act defines National Wildlife Areas (NWAs), National Parks, and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. It also outlines the country’s endangered species programs.
Canadian Animals
Their nests are sloppily held together and have an abandoned appearance
Stunningly beautiful wings
Though the American bully was bred to look intimidating, it makes an extremely friendly family pet!
Easygoing and people-friendly!
Main vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Don't eat raw eel! Their blood is poisonous to humans when consumed raw.
The color “Robin egg blue” is named after the hue of their eggs.
They secrete a milky poisonous liquid that can make many animals sick.
Anna's Hummingbird wings beat 40-50 times per second during normal flight
First evolved 100 million years ago!
The family Entelodontidae is commonly referred to as "hell pigs."
Arctic char is the northern-most fish; no other fish lives anywhere further north!
Extremely thick winter fur!
Eats berries found in the snow!
Incredibly versatile and adaptive!
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
Asian lady beetles infest indoor spaces, but they do not reproduce indoors.
Their entire life cycle from larvae to beetle usually takes around 2 years in Asia. However, it may take longer in areas where they are an invasive species, like the UK and USA
One of the most popular food fishes in the world
Atlantic Sturgeon often leap out of the water.
Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!
Australorp chickens are among the best egg producers in the world, Hens in Australia set consecutive world records with one laying 364 eggs in a single year!
They continually enlarge their protective cases
Found everywhere around the world!
Common barn dwelling spider
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
Like other owls, the barred owl swallows its prey whole.
Detects prey using echolocation!
The Bea-Tzu has a fast-growing coat
An excellent companion for cats!
There are 8 different species!
Builds a dam from sticks and leaves!
Bed bugs feed for 4-12 minutes.
Rock paintings of bees date back 15,000 years
There are more than 350,000 different species
Bighorn rams can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour when fighting for dominance.
Not all birds are able to fly!
The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast
Largest mammal in North America!
Black crappie fish can hybridize with white crappie, resulting in a closely related species.
Black sea bass males become fluorescent blue and green during the breeding season.
They typically prey on insects!
They are the only songbird in North America with an orange throat!
They migrate for the longest distance of any warbler.
When threatened, blue death feigning beetles will pretend like they’re dead.
They inflict a painful, venomous sting
Blue jays rub ants on their feather to remove harmful acids
Some blue racers have smooth scales that are solid electric blue while others are grayish or brownish.
The world record for longest bluegill is 15 inches.
About double the size of a domestic cat!
In spring, the male bobolink is the only North American bird who is dark below and light colored above. This makes identification easy.
“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”
The Brook Trout is actually part of the salmon family, making it not technically a trout.
Females glue egg cases to furniture
A dominant predator in it's environment!
Can live its entire life indoors
Males are generally monogamous during mating season and will protect the female from other males. However, females tend to venture from their partners and mate with other males.
The oldest Buffalo fish recorded was 112 years old!
The bull trout is not actually a trout, but a member of the char family.
Considered “The farmer’s friend” because it eats mice and other vermin.
The most common species of bee!
There are thought to be up 17,500 species!
The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.
They have natural snowshoes
These birds travel more than 3,000 miles during migration!
Canadian horses are believed to generate more power per pound of body weight than any other horse breed in the world.
They're the largest diving duck in North America!
There are 14 genera and 53 species in the cardinal family
Males and females grow antlers
Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!
May have been domesticated up to 10,000 years ago.
The larvae of a moth or butterfly!
There are nearly 3,000 different species!
Unlike modern lions, cave lions didn't have a significant mane.
Cecropia moths don’t have digestive tracts, so they can’t eat.
Their feathers have red, waxy tips that can be hard to identify unless you’re up close.
There are about 3,000 documented species!
They inhabit regrowing forests
Chickadees are named for the sound they make: Chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee!
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
There are 25 different species!
A newborn cinnamon bear weighs 1/2 pound -- about the same as a large apple.
Cochin chickens gifted to Queen Victoria started a craze that lasted more than a decade!
Dated to be around 300 million years old!
Pupae are able to undergo diapause to survive poor fruit yield years and winter.
The common furniture beetle feeds exclusively on wood
They're known as whistlers because of the sound of the wind in their feathers.
Common grackles are a pest species that damage crops and spread disease.
House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.
Also known as the Great Northern Diver
A group of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.
The Common Yellowthroat stays close to the ground and uses stealth to survive!
Eyes change color as they age
They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.
The Second Largest feline in North America
There are nearly 1.5 billion worldwide!
Also known as the Prairie Wolf!
There are 93 different crab groups
Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings
Many are critically endangered species!
Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together
The cross fox’s tail is bushier than the tail of the average red fox
A group of these birds is called a Murder.
Adults cucumber beetles cause the most damage to cucurbit plants.
They are called snowbirds because many subspecies reappear in the winter.
They have specialized jaws for removing snails from shells.
There are around 40 different species!
Roughly 60 different species of deer mice range from Canada to Central America!
Commonly found on white-tailed deer
Adult males make high amplitude boing noise to attract females
They have a unique call that they are named for.
Dimetrodon was among the largest predators of the Early Permian Period.
Diving ducks can forage for food at depths of over 40 feet and stay underwater for up to one minute.
First domesticated in South-East Asia!
Dog ticks feed on dogs and other mammals
Doxles have long floppy ears
It's larvae are carnivorous!
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!
The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight
Has exceptional eyesight!
They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs
There are nearly 2,000 different species!
Bluebirds drop straight down on their prey from their perch, much like leopards.
The name chipmunk is derived from an Ojibwe word that means “one who descends the trees headfirst.”
Eastern gray squirrels use both memory and scent to find their buried caches of food during the winter.
Eastern hognose snakes are venomous, but only to frogs and toads.
The eastern kingbird is a fierce fighter once known as the butcher king!
They can live up to 9 years.
This passerine bird can sing its song without ever hearing another bird vocalize first.
You can hear their gobbles up to a mile away!
Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!
Eiders are sexually dimorphic, with males being larger and more colorful.
Adult males can jump eight feet vertically
Their calls sound like a nasally “kla-ha, kla-ha, kla-ha.”
A very bold and ferocious predator!
Takes pure delight in cold weather!
Female can lay up to 600 eggs in her 14-day lifespan
They are friendly and non-aggressive to those in their species.
The fastest creatures on the planet!
The fallow deer has more variation in its coat colors than most other deer.
False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders
The ferruginous hawk comes in both light and dark morphs
The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world
The fisher is an agile climber and makes its home in tree hollows.
Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air
There are more than 240,000 different species!
Only 12 species are considered "true foxes"
In some areas, fox snakes and gopher snakes have crossbred in the wild.
Although it is a tree squirrel, it spends most of its time on the ground.
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
They build a ramp from their nest, which leads to a nearby water source
They make many sounds when trying to attract a mate.
Female garter snakes give birth to live young rather than laying eggs!
The most common type of urban roach
They are the fastest invertebrates in the U.K.
When giant leopard moths mate, their mating sessions last over 24 hours.
Cryptobranchus giant salamanders breathe mostly through their skin.
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
They huddle together for warmth
Their calls sound like high-pitched screams, but they are quiet most of the time.
Golden tortoise beetles have a metallic gold color which can change to dull brown when disturbed.
There are 29 different species!
They dig large networks of tunnels!
Although they feed on grapevine leaves, Grapevine beetles hardly cause serious damage to the plant.
Use acute hearing to hunt
Their fangs aren't big enough to penetrate human skin.
There are 11,000 known species!
The grasshopper mice attack predators using the poison of their venom.
Their songs have cat-like qualities and can mimic other birds and animals, like tree frogs.
The gray fox has retractable claws and a rotating wrist that allow it to climb trees with some proficiency
This frog can "freeze" itself by making glycerol that becomes glucose, which acts like antifreeze and stops its heartbeat and breathing!
This species makes use of some truly unusual nesting material, including snakeskin and garbage
Green frogs will eat any animal that they can fit in their mouth.
• Green June beetles will appear to mate in early summer, typically in May or June. This is why they are also known as May beetles. Therefore, it is very uncommon to see these beetles any other time.
There are two types of green snakes: smooth green snakes and rough green snakes
Less than 10% make it into adulthood
Groundhog ticks carry the Powassan virus which can cause brain-swelling.
They whistle to each other to warn of approaching danger!
One of the most invasive species in the world
They are natural pest controls
The position of the Hallucigenia's head puzzled scientists for several years
“Hammond’s flycatcher has a call known as a sharp peek!”
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Surprisingly, not a dolphin!
Can reach speeds of over 50 mph!
Many hawk moth caterpillars eat toxins from plants, but don’t sequester them the way milkweed butterflies do. Most toxins are excreted.
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
They are loud, spirited birds with raucous cries that sound like bursts of laughter.
Natively found in the Scottish Highlands!
The Hobo Spider travels city to city like an actual Hobo and is often found near railroad tracks!
Prima Donnas of the Snake World
There are only 8 recognized species!
Hooded seal pups are called bluebacks because the color of the fur on their back is blue-gray. This pretty color made people want to make fur coats out of them and made them a target for hunters.
Has evolved over 50 million years!
Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.
Changed little in over 500 million years!
The wren’s epithet, aedon, comes from a Greek queen who accidentally killed her only son. She was actually aiming for her nephew, and Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a nightingale.
Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!
Can jump over 6 feet straight up from a standstill
Since the imperial moth doesn’t eat, it does die shortly after it lays its eggs. Its lifespan is only about one week.
There are an estimated 30 million species!
The larvae of the Io Moth has a poisonous and painful sting.
One of the biggest species in the Caranx genus
Can clear an entire fruit tree in 15 minutes in a swarm
It has delicious meat with an affordable price
Merriam’s kangaroo rats literally never have to drink water
The cubs are usually weaned after 6 to 8 months; however, they will remain with their mothers through their second winter until they reach 17 months old.
The killdeer feigns injury to draw a predator away from its nest.
The species name, spectabilis, is Latin for “showy” or “remarkable,” referencing the attractiveness of the adult male’s plumage.
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!
A non-anadromous type of sockeye salmon
Well-balanced, friendly and versatile!
A Labraheeler is a good choice for a watchdog as it do whatever it can to keep its family safe!
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
While Landseer's are very gentle and calm, they can sense a dangerous situation and will protect their loved ones.
Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida all claim the largemouth bass as the state fish or state freshwater fish.
They can travel up to 72 miles in a single day.
Leghorn chickens, one of the most popular industrial breeds, lay up to 320 eggs per year!
Does not hibernate during the bitter Arctic winter!
They can jump up to three feet
Young lesser scaups learn to dive as soon as their down dries.
The little brown bat uses echolocation to quickly navigate around its environment
There are around 5,000 different species!
Its nickname is the butcherbird!
Only females have the ‘lone star’ marking
Ear tufts make it look bigger!
Live in dens in rocks and under ledges!
The complicated story of how MacGillivray’s Warblers got their name involves three ornithologists, a physician and a compromise.
Machaeroides had large saber-teeth, much like the saber-toothed tiger.
Will travel up to 70 miles in a single day.
Will only live in wet areas
They line their nests with fungi strands
Maiasaura dinosaurs can grow to 31 feet long.
With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day
Marans chickens produce some of the darkest, chocolate-brown eggs in the world!
The marble fox is not a naturally occurring variant; it was created through artificial selection.
A marmot spends 80% of its life below ground
May Beetles are also known as June Bugs Because they’re more active during the month of June
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
They line their nests with their feathers
Some species have a poisonous bite!
Mockingbirds are incredible mimics that can learn hundreds of songs!
Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!
Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.
During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.
Has characteristics of two or more breeds!
Renews it's enormous antlers every year!
Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood
There are 250,000 different species!
The beaver that is not a beaver
Depending on the time of the year, the mountain bird can live as far north as Alaska.
Has no real natural predators!
It is almost always the male who makes the famous sad sound, which is a wooing call
The Mourning Warbler was named for its gray head, which resembles a mourning veil!
Found on every continent on Earth!
Mudpuppies never leave their larval stage. This is called neoteny.
The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!
Mule deer can run up to 45 miles per hour.
Muskox have several physical characteristics that allow them to survive in the Arctic climate.
The muskrat can stay underwater up to 17 minutes at a time
Nematodes range in size from 1/10 of an inch to 28 feet long
Introduced by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago!
When they feel threatened juvenile night herons vomit their stomach contents.
There are more than 5,000 species.
Short claws make them good tree climbers!
Unlike other lizards, these give livebirth to their young
Males are a bright red color, also called "cardinal red"
Northern Flickers often make their homes in dead trees.
They can reach speeds of 25 Mph but prefer to soar low and slow.
They live in coffee and citrus plantations during the winter
Northern pintails migrate at night with speeds reaching 48 miles per hour!
Northern watersnakes’ teeth help them nab fish as they swim by.
Bore holes in tree nuts and lay their eggs inside
An invasive species, one female nutria can birth up to 200 babies in just a few years of living!
As a scorpionfish, the ocean perch has spines along its back!
Opabinia had five stalked eyes on its head.
Thought to be immune to certain snake venom!
Oranda goldfish are one of the most popular fancy goldfish breeds
Often mistaken for the Tennessee Warblers, which are equally dull.
Females are about four times the size of males
Oregon spotted frogs are the most endangered frogs in Canada!
Ornithomimus translates from Greek to mean “bird mimic.”
They reuse nesting sites for 70 years!
There are 13 different species worldwide
The ovenbird is named for its unusual nest, which is shaped like an oven!
The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees
Male painted turtles have longer nails.
Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!
The Parasaurolophus ran on its hindlegs at speeds of up to 30mph!
Seeks out sources of light
Teachers in schools often use the evolution of the peppered moth as a good example of Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
Some of the most delicious gamefish in the world
Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!
Hotdogs were originally called "Dachshund sausages" because they resembled the dachshund's wiener-like body!
They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.
Found in mountainous regions and rocky areas
Pairs establish territories and remain all year
A pine marten can jump from tree to tree similar to a squirrel.
When foraging, pine siskins hang upside down to pick through the leaves and bark, collecting seeds from coniferous trees.
The smallest of the North American salmon
Pit vipers's fangs fold up into their mouths when they don't need them.
The plains hognose snake gets its name from the upturned end of its snout.
Could be extinct within the next 30 years!
The Polyphemus moth doesn’t and can't eat, except when it's a caterpillar!
There are 30 different species worldwide!
They inflate their orange neck patches during their mating displays
The striking distance of a prairie rattlesnake is 2/3rds the length of its body.
Pterodactyl is not technically a dinosaur. Although they lived during the same time as dinosaurs, they are classified as winged reptiles.
Can remain in the water for up to 2 minutes!
Has longer back legs than front legs!
The intensity of the plumage can change based on what the bird eats
Their hinged shell protects their soft body
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
Queen snakes have armor-like scales on the top of their head
Known to wash their food before eating it!
The racer snake can speed away at up to 3.5 miles per hour
They have strikingly bright colors
Omnivores that eat anything!
Rat snakes are constrictors from the Colubridae family of snakes.
Rattlesnakes may have evolved their rattle to warn bison away from them.
Aphids are called ant cows because ants herd and "milk" them to secrete a substance called honeydew!
Sliders spend lots of time basking in the sun. As cold-blooded animals, they need the sun to heat up.
Red finches can form flocks of over 100 birds.
Red-Shouldered Hawks reuse the same nesting area each year.
The red squirrel has one of the most impressive memories in the entire animal kingdom
The male red-winged blackbird can sing to attract mates
Also known as the Caribou
Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too.
The ring-billed gull feeds on vast quantities of human waste and garbage.
The river otter can hold its breath for up to 8 minutes
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!
Rock bass can change their color slightly to camouflage.
The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, likes to be in and around bodies of water. Because of this, the Catholic Church in South America decided that it was a fish, and people were allowed to eat it during Lent and First Fridays.
The main predators of this species are grey wolves, mountain lions, black bears, and humans.
Will mate with the entire flock!
This bird is also called "cut-throat" because the male looks like his throat has been cut and has bled over his breast.
Its scientific name, lagopus, is Ancient Greek for “hare” and “foot,” referring to its feathered feet and toes.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds can beat their wings more than 50 times per second.
Ruddy duck breeding males have bright blue bills!
The males have a glowing iridescent orange patch on their chests.
Canines up to 7 inches long!
Ferrets were used during the Revolutionary War to keep down the rat population.
There are more than 700 different species!
Returns upstream every year to spawn
The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail
Legs also function as gills
The Savannah sparrow gets its name because one of the first of this type of bird was found in the city of Savannah, Georgia.
Scissor-tailed flycatchers are known for their dramatically long tails!
There are around 2,000 known species!
Its skull bones can compress so the fish can fit in narrow spaces
Sea bass can grow up to 880 pounds in weight!
The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner
Some gulls are capable of using tools
In captivity, sharp-shinned hawks can live up to 13 years. However, in the wild, this number is significantly reduced to 3 years!
This snake uses its sharp tail to steady itself when capturing prey.
Around 35 million in the English countryside!
The short-eared owl is one of the most widespread owl species in the world, covering five continents.
The spinal column of the shrew Scutisorex somereni is so strong and reinforced that it can support the weight of an adult human.
There are 2,000 different species worldwide!
Many husky Labs have one blue eye and one brown eye.
Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.
Also known as the Polecat!
They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce
Has up to 45 eggs per egg case
There are nearly 1,000 different species!
There are around 4,000 known species worldwide
Only found in North America!
Snorkies are known for their funny, attention-getting antics.
The snow goose has a dark line along their beaks known as a ‘grinning patch’!
They are pollinators, just like bees.
One of the largest owl species in the world!
Called "red salmon" because their skin turns bright red to dirty red during spawning season
Pumps its tail when it flies!
They spend most of their time underground!
There are 140 different species!
Many people believe that because the Sphynx doesn't have a lot of fur, they are easily maintained. However, their upkeep is demanding!
They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.
In March of 2022, the Entomological Society of America changed the name of this insect from the European gypsy moth to the spongy moth out of respect for the Romani community, which considers the word "gypsy" to be offensive.
Spotted skunks are known for their acrobatic abilities. They perform handstands before spraying their enemies.
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!
The stag beetle consumes rotting and decaying wood when it is in the larva stage.
The star-nosed mole has the ability to sense both electrical fields and ground vibrations
Steelhead live in freshwater rivers and streams for 1 to 2 years before migrating into the ocean
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Average adults weigh about 200 grams!
Pilgrims counted striped bass as an essential part of their diet from the time they arrived in North America.
They remove bee stingers by rubbing them against a tree
Their wings form a “V” shape when flying.
Populations have been affected by pollution!
Swedish Elkhounds existed in prehistoric times!
Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.
These beetles can take up to two years to complete one generation. In fact, larvae can develop in soil for up to 4 years!
Some theropods had feathers and may have been ancestors of modern birds.
The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.
They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite
The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world
The bright colors of this moth are a signal to predators that it has a terrible taste.
Massive carnivorous hybrid fish
As tiger trout are sterile, they cannot produce offspring. However, they do have relatively long lifespans and can live up to 10 years in captivity.
Seen as an evolutionary link between fish and tetrapods
The tomato hornworm is a ferocious pest that can eat all parts of a plant, including the fruits.
The Torkie is alert and very vocal so it makes a great watchdog.
Can live until they are more than 150 years old!
They make music with their wings
Found in warmer jungles and forests!
The tree swallow can make more than a dozen distinct vocalizations
Troodon formosus means "wounding tooth" in Greek, a name that describes its serrated teeth.
“The tundra swan is entirely white except for a yellow marking at the base of their bill!”
Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.
Tusoteuthis was one of the largest cephalopods ever
Tylosaurus was a marine reptile that is closely related to modern-day snakes and monitor lizards.
They make jerky movements as they walk through the grass, searching for food.
These dogs cannot swim well because of their stocky build and short legs.
The veery is named for its sharp "veer" call.
Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Warblers are so called because of the trills of their song.
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
The Wax Moth larvae are more dangerous than the adult.
The smallest carnivorous mammal in the world!
Welsh Black Cattle were once used as currency in Wales and referred to as “black gold”.
Western blacklegged ticks are only found in the west coast of the United States
Primarily solitary, these snakes only communicate with one another during breeding season.
Western kingbirds have hidden red crown feathers that they can raise when threatened!
Western rattlesnakes are shy and try to avoid people whenever possible.
They migrate farther north than any other tanager.
Males learn distinct songs from the community they grew up in and continue to sing in the same dialect as adults.
There are two different types of white ferrets!
They don't have any teeth!
White-tail deer are good swimmers
Although deer are herbivores, they will sometimes eat mice and birds when they can catch them.
This species is named after the loud whooping sound it makes
These birds live in the understory and are named for their propensity for flitting between willows and shrubs.
Only the males fly and the females walk.
Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
Releases a strong smelling musk in defence!
The reintroduction of wood bison into Alaska is considered one of the world’s best conservation success stories.
Adult male wood ducks sport a striking red eye and bill year-round!
The wood frog lives the furthest north of any other North American amphibian including in the Arctic Circle.
Almost always found above 4,000 feet in elevation
Temperature determines the sex of turtle eggs
This animal can roll up into a ball
Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.
There are 200 different species!
Pack rats love shiny objects and will steal your jewelry.
males pluck webs like strings on a guitar
The Wyandotte chicken was the first dual-purpose American chicken bred for both meat and eggs!
They follow after seals and whales to eat their scraps.
The Xenoceratops is the oldest known horned dinosaur ever discovered in Canada.
The males are responsible for choosing the nesting tree most of the time. Luckily, cavity nests are often reused for multiple breeding seasons (up to 7 years.)
Female Yellow Perch grom larger than the males.
They forage near the ground, searching leaves for insects
Yokohama chickens have snow white feathers with tails reaching up to 4 feet in length.
These dogs are very intelligent and are great with children.
A female zebra mussel can deposit 30,000 to 1,000,000 eggs each year!
Canadian Animals List