10 Animals you will Only Find in Canada When you think of Canada, what do you think
of? Maple syrup? Beavers? Snow? Whatever it is, we’re sure that wildlife fits in there somewhere.
There are a lot of creatures that spring to mind when thinking about Canada,
but some are more unique to the area than you’d think. Today, we’re looking at ten animals that
you’ll only find in Canada. Let’s jump in.
Number ten The Vancouver Island Marmot
The Vancouver Island Marmot is number ten on our list. This animal is only found in
Canada. Specifically, it can only be found in the high mountains of Vancouver Island,
as you might well have imagined. That’s an area in British Columbia, Canada.
Compared to most other marmots, the Vancouver Island Marmot is quite large. Adults can weigh
up to 7 kg. Unfortunately, it is critically endangered and less than thirty Vancouver Island
Marmot’s remain in the wild. Their main visual characteristic is their rich brown fur, and the
white markings on their nose, chin, forehead, and chest. Where most birds migrate, these do not.
They actually hibernate during the long alpine winters when food is not readily available.
Number nine The Richardson Collared Lemming
No, we aren’t talking about the world-famous computer game ‘Lemmings’ here, but this was
what those lovely, little creatures were based on- The Richardson’s Collared Lemming. This
species of lemming is on the endangered species list, though it’s classified as LC – that is,
“of least concern”. Sadly, this is something that replicates the game where they needed to be saved.
Global warming and floods have ruined most of their native habitats – which happens to
be the tundra in the west Hudson’s Bay area of Canada. They live in gregarious colonies
of several dozen lemmings. Their main predators include snowy owls, Arctic foxes, and mustelids.
Their young are born in burrows beneath thick vegetation for protection. Unusually,
females have up to two litters a year, with anywhere from four to eight pups a litter.
Number eight The Maritime Shrew
Number eight is the Maritime Shrew. This small mammal is found in two provinces in
Canada. It can be found in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It’s population is decreasing at
a rapid pace, and it’s become rare to spot them. They live primarily in marshy wetlands and their
habitat is often damaged by an increase in the amount of flooding both Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick have seen in recent years. Their diet mainly consists of earthworms, slugs, wood lice,
and small arthropods. Their average weight is between .003 and .007 pounds. Adorable!
Number seven The Ogilvie Mountains Collared Lemming
Yes, number seven is the second lemming that we’re looking at today. Except this
time its the Ogilvie Mountains Collared Lemming. This species of lemming can only be found in the
Yukon Territory. It’s natural habitat is the tundra and it’s one of a select few mammals
found solely in Canada. Their short ears and bushy tail help them conserve heat in the long,
harsh arctic winters – while also giving them an adorable look, at least when they’re younger.
While they are considered an endangered species, they are marked as LC – of least concern,
just like the first group of lemmings on this list. The front teeth of the Ogilvie Mountains
Collared Lemming never stop growing. They spend their winters hunting for plant matter that
has been buried by the snow. Their snow burrows have separate spaces for sleeping, nesting, and
defecating. They’re like something from Narnia, buried in little houses in the snow – aww!
Number six The Ross's Goose
The Ross’s Goose is one that you’ve no doubt heard in Canada, even if you didn’t know that
it was anything unusual. This variation of goose has white feathers and black wing tips.
Canada’s Northwest Territories are its native breeding grounds. In fact, this is the only place
that the Ross’s Goose will breed! It returns here every year for that purpose. It’s so small that
explorers didn’t recognize it as a goose until 1861 and its native breeding grounds were not
located by scientists until 1938. Cheerily, its population has greatly increased in recent decades
thanks to conservation efforts. The Ross’s Goose occasionally will develop a mutation
known as “blue” which affects the color of its feathers. This morph is only rarely documented,
but beautiful to see. Still, even without it, they are a cute addition to this list.
Number five The Harris' Sparrow
From one little bird to an even smaller one, number five is the Harris’ Sparrow,
even though this little bird is considered large for a sparrow. Its breeding habitat is the central
part of north Canada. It’s most often seen in Nunavut, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. During
winter, they migrate to the Great Plains states of the United States. Their song is usually delivered
from a high perch. They are most known for calling out a loud, metallic chink sound, though they’ve
also been heard to make fairly musical chittering. During the winter, the Harris’ Sparrow is often
confused with the Lapland Longspur. We're half way through our list and we’re
pretty sure we've already mentioned something you never thought existed, so before we move,
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Number four The Peary Caribou
Canada is almost exclusively home to the Peary Caribou. This subspecies of caribou is endemic
to the High Arctic islands of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories of Canada. Both the males
and females grow antlers; the females from June to September, and the males from March to August.
For both the males and the females, their velvet is completely shed by October. The
Peary Caribou are the smallest out of all the subspecies of North American Caribou.
On average, female Peary Caribou only way an average of sixty kg, with the males weighing
an average of one hundred and ten kg. With all that space to roam and grow you might think
that they would grow to fit their environment, but nope. And their size isn’t the only sweet
thing about them. During the winter, the Peary Caribou have a thick, pure white coat of fur.
Number three The Eskimo Curlew
This one is possibly the most curious on our list. The Eskimo
Curlew. It’s unknown whether this bird has gone extinct or only remains as critically endangered.
There’s much debate on the matter within both the birding community and the scientific
community. The Eskimo Curlew lives in the Tundra of Western Arctic Canada. In the late eight
hundreds, roughly two million Eskimo Curlews were killed each year. The commercial harvest of Eskimo
Culrew decimated their populations. There have been no reliable sightings of the bird since 1987,
though the occasional birder still claims to see them. They feed mostly on berries and insects.
Number Two The Vancouver Lamprey
It’s almost as classic as the moose or maple syrup, it’s the Vancouver Lamprey. This
subspecies of lamprey is only found in just two lakes – Lake Cowichan and Mesachie Lake,
both located in Vancouver Island, Canada. It’s often known as the Cowichan Lamprey.
They range in length from eleven cm to twenty seven cm. Their eyes are on the top of their
head. It’s a hematophagus predator (try saying that after a tipple!), meaning that it latches
onto fish species and feed off of them. Their most common prey are the cut thorat trout and coho
salmon. The majority of the Vancouver Lamprey’s prey are not fatally wounded. They are one of
the leading predators of salmonids. Before we continue, why don't you share
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Number one The Canadian Arctic Marble Fox
Number One is the Canadian Arctic Marble Fox. This species of fox is considered to be one of
the rarest of fox species, and it is utterly beautiful. They occur from genetic mutations
and gained their name from the marble appearance of their fur; primarily white with either gray,
black, or red swirled through it. There is a high movement to try and domesticate them, but it’s
highly discouraged, and sometimes even illegal, to own the Canadian Arctic Marble Fox as a pet.
They live for three to four years in the wild and are well adapted to the frigid,
arctic winters. They’re playful, plentiful and not for petting! They are however,
definitely the winner of the top spot because of their elegant look and huge popularity.
We think you’d be barking mad not to love them!
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