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North American and Canadian animals
North American and Canadian animals
North America
North America includesCanada, the United Statesof America, Greenlandand Mexico, as well asother smaller countries.
Because the continent isso big, the weather andtemperature can vary indifferent areas of NorthAmerica. It is home tomany types of animals.
Bear
There are many different types of bears, including grizzly bears(also called brown bears), polar bears and American blackbears, which are all found in North America. American blackbears and grizzly bears will hunt other animals and eat nuts,berries, fruit, insects and grasses. Grizzly bears also like fish.
Grizzly and black bears hibernate (sleep) during the winter.Most bears are good at climbing and swimming.
Polar bears have black skin under their fur.
Fast Facts
Bear
North American Black Bear
“North American Black Bear” by [Dennis Jarvis] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is a large bird of prey, which lives in forests near rivers and lakes in North America.
They are not bald; they have white feathers on their heads.Their wingspan measures over two metres.
Bald eagles mostly eat fish but also eat small animals like rabbits and other birds.
Fast Facts
The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States.
Did you know?
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle in Flight
Moose
Moose are mammals and the largest of the deer family.They live in forests near streams and lakes in Canada as well
as other areas of the northern United States. Moose are herbivores; they eat tall grasses and bushes and they like to eat
water plants in the summer.
Only the males have antlers, which can grow as large as six feet across.Their hooves act as snowshoes to help them walk on snow or mud.
Moose are great swimmers and can run up to 35 miles per hour.
Fast Facts
“Female Moose (Alces laces) side View” by [Jerry Kirkhart] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Moose
A Bull (Male) Moose
Raccoon
Raccoons are small mammals with black and white tails that live in both the cities and countryside in North America.
Raccoons eat birds, insects, nuts, seeds and fruits. In cities, they will also eat food waste from dustbins and pet food. They
like to wash their food before they eat it.Raccoons have extremely strong senses of sight, smell and touch.
Their paws look almost like human hands.
The word ‘raccoon’ comes from the Algonquian people. It means ‘one that rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands.’
Did You Know?
Raccoon
A Young Raccoon
Coyote
Coyotes are members of the dog family and are similar to wolves. They live on their own or in small, family groups, in
burrows in Mexico, Canada and the United States. They mostly live near forests and open fields.
Coyotes will eat almost anything, including rabbits, mice and squirrels.They are very good swimmers.
Coyotes are nocturnal (active at night).Coyotes can howl – they sometimes howl when they hear car horns!
Fast Facts
Coyote
A Fully Grown Coyote
American Alligator
The American alligator (or ‘gator’) is the largest reptile in North America.They live in the south-eastern United States and northern Mexico.
Alligators grow their entire lives - males can grow over 4 metres long! The bite of the American Alligator is the most powerful in the world. However, the muscles that open their mouths are weak – a person
could hold their mouth shut.
Everglades National Park in Florida, USA, is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles live in the same place.
Fast Facts
American Alligator
An American Alligator in Okeefenokee Swamp
Fun Fact: The beaver has been Canada’s national symbolfor over 300 years!
BeaverFeatures: 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: Lynxes only hunt at night, andthey use their high level of hearing to
help them catch their prey.
Lynx
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.
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!
Fun Fact: Grizzly bears don’t go to the bathroom at all during hibernation!
Grizzly BearFeatures: 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.
LoonFeatures: 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.
Fun Fact: Moose are great swimmers, and know how to swim almost as soon as they are born!
MooseFeatures: 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!
