As a British expat, I am constantly surprised by the incredible wildlife in Canada, which boasts over 80,000 different species. Have a browse through some of my personal favourites, complete with fun facts and some seriously cute pics, for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
- Porcupine
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Just look at this baby porcupine! These critters are covered with 30,000 spiny quills, they aren’t as cuddly as they look. When they’re first born, these quills are soft, but their protective coat hardens within an hour. Found across North America, these super adaptable creatures live in forests, tundras and grasslands.
- Beluga whale
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These distinctive creatures mostly reside in the Arctic Sea. Their thick layer of blubber means they can survive even the chilliest of climates (yes, even colder than Ontario). The bulge on their forehead is sometimes called a melon and it helps them produce whale sounds to communicate with each other.
- Peary caribou
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A white and slate-grey coat distinguishes these beautiful creatures who are exclusively found in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In 2014 they were listed as threatened after previously being registered as endangered. However, these snow-coloured deer still need our protection, as milder winters affect their food supply.
- Nuttall’s cottontail
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The Nuttall’s cottontail (or mountain cottontail) can be spotted by its black-tipped ears. Without them, these tiny rabbits would be hard to spot, they are just under 40cm in length! When they sense danger they rapidly hop away and run in a semi-circular path to trick their predator. Deceptive!
- Kermode bear
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Known to the Tsimshian First Nations communities as ‘moskgm’ol’, or ‘white bear’, these incredibly rare creatures are deeply respected by those who share their rainforest habitat. Their pale cream coats and black noses are caused by a recessive gene in North American black bears. Their favourite things to eat are vegetation, berries and salmon. An unusual combo, but hey, don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it!
Hope these cute creatures brought some happiness to your day.