Canadian Ecosystems

Canada is very big, and there are many

different ecosystems across the country!

This is why Canada is home to a large

variety of animals. In fact, there are
approximately 700 000 animal species!

Ecosystem: All living things (like plants, and

animals) in a specific area. An ecosystem
also takes weather into account.

Example: A forest is an ecosystem that

allows grizzly bears to live well.
How many Canadian animals can
you name?
Most Popular Canadian Animals

Moose Loon Beaver

Grizzly
Lynx
Bear
 Beaver
Features: Beavers are part of the rodent family of animals. They are well
known for their long teeth and big tails! They use their tails for balance when
they are carrying branches.

Habitat: These animals can mostly be found in British Columbia, but they also
live near lakes all across Canada. Beavers build their own homes, which are
called dams.

Food: Beavers are vegetarians, so they eat many

plants. They particularly enjoy woody plants, like
the inside of tree bark.

Fun Fact: The beaver has been

Canada’s national symbol
for over 300 years!
 Lynx
Features: These animals look like big cats. They have long grey fur, and
pointy ears. Their hair is especially long around their faces, and it looks like
they have beards!
Habitat: Canadian lynxes live in the
boreal forest all across Canada. They
often like to stay under fallen trees or
bushes.

Food: Lynxes really like to eat hares

(an animal similar to rabbits), and they
also eat birds.

Fun Fact: Lynxes only hunt at night, and

they use their high level of hearing to
help them catch their prey.
 Grizzly Bear
Features: The grizzly bear is one of the largest Canadian animals. They measure
about 6 feet, and can weigh up to 750 pounds! They are called grizzly bears
because the tips of their fur is a lighter color and it appears to be “grizzled”.

Habitat: Grizzly bears live from the most western tip

of Canada to Manitoba. They live in forests,
meadows, and even in the arctic tundra.

Food: These bears love to eat everything!

They eat other animals, berries, plants, and
even fish.

Fun Fact: Grizzly bears don’t

go to the bathroom at all
during hibernation!
 Loon
Features: Loons are a type of bird that resemble ducks. They have striking red
eyes ,and black heads and necks. They are great swimmers, but are called loons
because they look loony when they walk on land!

Habitat: These birds live all over Canada near lakes

surrounded by forests.

Food: Loons are carnivores and eat many fish.

Fun Fact: You can find a loon

on a Canadian one-dollar coin. It
is called a loonie.
 Moose
Features: Moose are the largest member of the deer family. They are brown,
have big shoulders, and skinny legs. Male moose have large antlers that fall off
in the winter.

Habitat: These large animals live

near lakes that are situated in large
forests all across Canada.

Food: Moose are herbivores, which

means they only eat plants; they even
eat water plants!

Fun Fact: Moose are great swimmers,

and know how to swim almost as soon as
they are born!