Canadian Fauna Trivia Quiz

Answer:

The Canadian moose (Alces alces) is North America's largest deer. It is known for its huge size and immense antlers (males only), as well as its long face which is adapted for feeding under water. The diet of the moose is seasonal and includes twigs, bark, and leaves in winter (balsam fir, willow, birch) and shifting to lush leaves and abundant aquatic plants in the summer.

The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is the second largest rodent in the world. It is recognizable by its broad, flat, paddle-like tail which is covered in leathery scales and sparse coarse hairs. It serves as a rudder for swimming, a prop for balance on land, a fat storage unit for winter, and a tool to slap the on water as a warning signal. Their teeth are orange as they contain iron for strength.

The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) is a cloven-footed mammal that is endemic to the remote and rugged mountainous regions of North America. They are unbelievably competent climbers whether on sheer rock faces, near-vertical cliffs, or icy passages. They are grazers and browsers, known to eat grass, moss, conifers, sedges, forbs, lichen, and shrubs. They are vulnerable to predation from cougars, wolves, grizzly bears, and golden eagles attacking their young.

The wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) is a powerful member of the weasel family, with dark fur, pale stripes, and a fierce reputation as a scavenger and predator. They are found in Canada's northern boreal forests and alpine tundra. Wolverines are solitary creatures with uniquely frost-resistant fur prized for parkas, acting as indicators of ecosystem health.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are popular freshwater fish in Canada, native mainly to the West Coast but often stocked for sport fishing. They are olive-green with black spots and a prominent pink/red stripe along the side. They have a diet of aquatic insects (mayflies, caddisflies, terrestrial insects, small fish, crustaceans, worms, leeches, eggs, and even small mammals such as mice.

Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) live in both fresh and saltwater environments. They hatch and live in freshwater lakes, rivers and streams for 1-3 years after which they migrate to the ocean to feed and grow. These fish are widely consumed in Canada and contain protein, Omega 3, and vitamin D. The term, 'sockeye' comes from the Coast Salish word sukkai, meaning 'red fish'.

The blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) is a mole salamander found in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. They are black or grey with bluish white spots; and are carnivorous, eating slugs, centipedes, worms, spiders, snails, as well as insects. They are a good indicator of a heathy environment as they are sensitive to pollution. These salamanders also act as prey species for shrews, opossums, skunks, raccoons, birds, garter snakes, and turtles.

The Great Plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus), is medium to large toad and are grey, green, and brown in colour. The adults consume worms, flies, spiders, beetles, centipedes, cutworms (moth larva) and ants. Great Plains toads are vulnerable to garter snakes, skunks, badgers, and raccoons and are known for burrowing, which they do to avoid predators and to stay moist during dry times.

The Plains bison (Bison bison bison) is a subspecies of the American bison, and is the largest land animal in Canada. They are primarily grazers and mainly feed on various grasses and sedges. They supplement their diet with flowering and woody plants in the summer. Wolves are the primary predators, taking down individuals in packs, although other animals, such as cougars, bears, and coyotes will target old and sick bison as well as calves.

Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) is a type of right-eye flounder. They are found on the floor of the North Pacific Ocean. They are very active predators, consuming several species of fish, clams, octopus, and crabs. They are vulnerable to sharks, killer whales, seals, and humans. Pacific halibut have a mild, sweet flavour and are high in protein and omega 3 and are widely eaten in Canada.

Yellowjackets (Vespula alascensis) are a type of wasp that builds papery nests in a variety of environments in Canada, such as wall voids, woodpiles, tree cavities, and underground burrows. They are omnivores, and consume such foods as fruit and nectar, as well as insects. They are also scavengers, eating meat, fish, and garbage. Yellowjackets act both as pest control in gardens as well as picnic pests as they are attracted to sugary food and drinks. Unlike bees, yellowjackets can sting multiple times as their stingers are smooth. They can also swarm when threatened making them very dangerous.

Western black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) are found in southern parts of Canada. They prefer hot, dry places such as woodpiles, sheds, and basements. They consume various types of insects which they catch in their webs, as well as smaller spiders, lizards, and frogs by liquefying them with venom and digestive enzymes before sucking out the liquid contents. The sting is painful to humans although not usually fatal unless the person is very young, very old or immunocompromised.

Prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) are found in several places in Canada. They are ambush predators, consuming small mammals like squirrels, frogs, mice, birds, rats, rabbits, lizards and insects. Their bite is toxic and should be treated as an emergency as there are over 50 proteins in it that destroy blood cells, destroy tissue, and cause internal bleeding, all of which can lead to death. Luckily, rattlesnakes will try to avoid people but will strike if cornered or threatened.

The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is very widespread across Canada. They are omnivores with a varied diet, including fruit, carrion, insects, eggs, garbage, grains, mice, nuts, frogs, and human scraps. They are known as being exceptionally intelligent animals with problem solving abilities, long term memory, the ability to learn and to even hold grudges!

Woodchucks (Marmota monax), also known as groundhogs, are found in open, grassy areas as well as on the edges of forests. They are primarily herbivores eating dandelions, clover, alfalfa, corn, berries, tree bark, peas, grass, and flowers. They will, however, consume grubs and grasshoppers to supplement their diet. Woodchucks are prey for such animals as hawks, coyotes, dogs, bobcats, foxes, and weasels.