Here are some of the common Canadian animals that are found in this area of Southern Ontario. For more information on each animal, just click on the highlighted word to take you to a new page.
As an immigrant from England’s industrial north-west, I have always delighted in the Canadian animals that I found here in Ontario, especially in seeing the
Squirrels
that are common in this area.
We see lots of Grey Squirrels, which have both Black and Grey types, and there is occasionally the smaller Red Squirrel.
The
Flying Squirrel
is found in the Carolinian forest in Southern Ontario and because of the shrinking of its habitat of mature hardwood (oak, maple & beech) it has been designated as a Rare Species.
These shy, nocturnal, creatures have a membrane stretched between their wrists and ankles, and a tail that acts as a rudder.
Have any of our readers seen the elusive
White Squirrels
of Southern Ontario?
If you have, let us know when and where you spotted one - you can tell us about it by clicking on the link above.
When I first came to live here in Southern Ontario, I saw the strange sight of millions of
Monarch Butterflies
as they slowly flew past me in a swirling cloud of orange and black.
I was mesmerized and hoped to see the phenomenon again, however, it was several years before I witnessed a similar sight.
These butterflies were gathering in large groups on the north shore of Lake Erie, as they waited for the right weather conditions to begin their fall migration to their wintering grounds.
We have had several reports from our readers, of sightings of Lynx in Southern Ontario, which you can read here. The first was sent in by James who told us of his
Lynx in Winter
article, and another reader from St Catharines spotted something she thought might be a Lynx, which you can read here in her article
Lynx or Something close spotted in St Catharines.
In this area of Elgin County there seems to be an over-abundance of
White Tailed Deer
and I am assured by my son-in-law, Dave (the intrepid Hunter) that they are not endangered Canadian animals!
This doe with her twin fawns was photographed in our orchard at dusk one evening. She was really curious and didn't seem concerned at all that we were watching them.
On our hobby farm we see them frequently and I am always pleased to see the graceful does making their way across our garden to the river to drink.
My hubby, on the other hand, is not quite so delighted to see them! Apparently they have eaten vast quantities of corn and green beans from our vegetable garden and destroyed large numbers of branches from our apple trees!
Nevertheless, I enjoy seeing them in the mornings and it is a wonderful way to start my day!
Before I came to live in Ontario, and learned more about Canadian animals, I thought that
Raccoons
were cute little bandits, and truth be known, I still do.
However, I have learned that they can be destructive and have been known to tip our garbage cans over and party late into the night, spreading refuse as they go!
They will also damage houses as they try to find a cozy attic or garage in which to spend the winter, so many people resort to trapping and killing them.
One of the Canadian animals that is not very popular with humans or other animals, is the
Skunk
- there are lots of them in this area and the main thing to remember is Don’t tangle with ‘em! Stay away!
If you, or your pet, does get sprayed by a skunk, try using Tomato juice to get rid of the smell – you don’t drink it, you bathe in it!
In this picture you can see a mother Skunk out with her babies.
Occasionally we see skunks around our farm and now and again we suspect they are around because our lawn has been dug up.
Apparently they like to eat the grubs that infest lawns and gardens.
Some of my favourite Canadian animals in this area are the Bats which entertain us with their acrobatic displays in the evenings during late spring and summer.
Just as the sun begins to set, the Bats come out to play - they swoop and dive around us as they feast on mosquitoes and other flying insects.
To be honest, they don't ever keep still, so it is impossible to identify the species of bat that we are seeing near our home!
In this area of Southern Ontario the most common are the
Small Brown Bat
, the Eastern Pipistrelle, the Hoary Bat and the Big Brown Bat.
The Big Brown Bat is the most widespread in this area of Ontario, however, we do see some of the other species also.
Some of these bats hibernate during the winter, although some of these cute Canadian animals are known to migrates to the southern part of their range for the winter.
We know that there are
Coyotes
in this area, but I have only seen two in the St Thomas area in the past ten years.
They seem to stay away from populated places and confine themselves to rural areas.
My daughter, who lives north of London, hears them too and occasionally sees small packs of them on the farm where she lives.
In the past couple of years my daughter tells me that, in addition to hearing Coyotes howling at night, they have started to hear Wolves.
Although
Wolves
are more common in the North, there are Wolves living and thriving in Southern Ontario.
There are sightings now and again, of Wolves around the London area as a few individuals or small packs have made their way into Southern Ontario in recent years.
In Ontario there are two types of Wolves - the Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) and the Eastern Canadian Wolf (Canis lycaon), both of which are only protected in 3% of their habitat.
According to the site Wolves-Ontario.com, there has only been one documented case of healthy wild wolves killing a human in North America.
It is believed that these animals had lost their fear of humans and were accustomed to them. By comparison, domestic dogs attack 3 million and kill 20 people each year.
Wild, non-socialized, wolves fear humans and are rarely seen and avoid human habitation.
When I first arrived here in Ontario from England in the 1970's, a neighbour of mine told me that she had
Groundhogs
in her vegetable garden.
I had never seen one and envisioned a huge, pig-like animal roaming through the neighbourhood gardens, snorting and eating everything in sight!
Imagine my delight when I saw my first Groundhog!
They are cute, herbivores who look a little like a beaver without the flat tail.
These rodents, the largest members of the Squirrel family, dig burrows and live underground. They are found all across Canada, except Newfoundland.
For those people who live outside of North America, who may not know that this little rodent actually has a special day named after him - February 2nd is "Groundhog Day". Legend says that if the groundhog comes out of his burrow on that day and sees his shadow, then there will be six more weeks of winter! Well, here in Southern Ontario we don't need a rodent to tell us that!
I know that
Chipmunks
are delightful little Canadian animals, although they are not too common.
The little fellas are so cute, but, sadly, the only ones we see here are the ones caught by our cat.
If you know a way to attract Chipmunks to somewhere that cats can’t catch them, please let me know.
Rabbits are abundant here and they are prolific breeders. They have their babies in burrows underground.
Occasionally we find baby bunnies in a fur-lined depression in the ground and these are baby Hares.
The
Red Fox
is alive and well and living very successfully in this area.
We have a small flock of hens and ducks and we always make sure that we lock our poultry in the barn at night, or else we’ll lose a few to either the Foxes, Coyotes or Raccoons.
Foxes seem to have also adapted well to urbanization and can sometimes be seen flitting silently around housing subdivisions when the unsuspecting residents are sleeping.
Here, in the countryside, we see them now and again, but our friends who live on the outskirts of town, tell me that they see them occasionally too.
By all accounts, there should not be any
Possums
anywhere near Southern Ontario, as they are native to the Southern United States, and not Canadian animals at all.
However, in the past few decades, some poor unsuspecting Possums have taken a nap on a stationary train somewhere in the Southern States, and woken up on the Canadian side of the border, with no way to get back.
These reluctant immigrants settle close to the US border, breed and manage quite well in their first summer here – THEN WINTER COMES, that’s when times get really tough for these warmth-loving marsupials.
The Garter Snake
aka Grass Snake, is fairly common in this area and is harmless – no bite, next-to no venom (scarcely enough to slow down a mouse), so nothing to worry about.
Garter Snakes and cold blooded reptiles and love to bask in the sunshine, and they also seem to like the warmth of our composter (we try to compost whatever we can). A couple of times each summer I find a snake skin in there, that has been shed by a passing snake.
Occasionally, I am startled by a Garter Snake while I am gardening, but they seem to have a "live and let live" attitude, and we keep out of each others way!
One of the animals which most people think of when they think of Canada, is the
Canadian Beaver.
When the first European explorers and settlers came to this country, they found Beavers in abundance - up to 200 million of them across the continent!
Over the years of being hunted for their fur, their numbers dwindled, but are now back up to a healthy 10 - 15 million across North America, including Canada.
Its hard to believe today, but the Beaver was hunted so enthusiastically to satisfy the European fashion for Beaver Top Hats! Yes, the pelts were used for fashionable gentlemen to wear on their heads.
Thank goodness we no longer trap and kill these little animals for their fur.
One of the Canadian animals around here which is easily overlooked, yet is vital to our ecconomy, is the busy
Honey Bee.
These little insects are important for the pollination of our crops - Apples & Pears, Squash & Potatoes, as well as supplying us with their delicious Honey.
Without them our food supplies would dwindle and and crops would fail, so it is important that we protect these little fellas from pesticides and pollution.
During late Spring and Summer, we often see an amazing sight across Southern Ontario.
Just as it becomes dusk, the Fireflies come out, and as our eyes adjust to the darkness, these tiny little luminescent beetles start to flash and glow.
Tens of thousands of them emerge from the long grass of our meadow, and they start to fly around the trees and bushes, flashing to attract their mates.
The
North American Badger
is an Endangered Species here in Southern Ontario, with only an estimated 200 individuals remaining.
These mammals, with their strong legs and long front claws, are expert diggers and often the only evidence of their existance, is when a farmer finds a sett (their burrow).
They are true Omnivores and will eat small mammals, ground nesting birds, amphibians, and also plants and seeds.
The photograph of the Raccoon on this page is reproduced by kind permission of Ken Douglas
The photographs of the Beaver and Bee on this page are reproduced by kind permission of Kaye Edmonds
Do you have a favourite animal of Southern Ontario?
Do you have a great story about an animal of this area? Have you perhaps spotted a rare animal in the area?
Are you an expert on the animals of Southern Ontario?
Share your knowledge - we would love to feature your information and pictures on our site!
Remember to make your submission a minimum of 100 - 200 words and tell us when and where you saw the animal, the time of day, and if possible, what you observed them doing.
Just think, the next animal featured on our site could be YOURS!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
The place is the PARK behind "Evergreen Brickworks".
This ...
Large White cat like creature
We are fortunate to live in an area with plenty of wild life (near St Thomas). I have twice watched a large white cat-like animal, move along a tree line....
Ferrets in Southern Ontario
We live just outside of Hamilton, Ontario, and we live across from a creek and very close to a swampy area and grassland.
The other night at about midnight,...
Backyard visitor
Lori from Bowmanville wrote to tell us about her wildlife sighting, she says ...... We saw our first Possum last night, sitting out on our back fence ...
Fox-Cat
On august 14th, 2010 my brother, sister in law and I saw what we thought (at first) were 2 young foxes.
We had just dropped my mom's friend off at ...
Possum Sighting
I live in Odessa, Ontario, which is a small town just west of Kingston.
We have a small creek in our back yard, and today looking out my window, I saw ...
Possum in our front yard near Schomberg Ontario
Two of our readers, who are animal lovers, sent us this report - On Sunday afternoon we had just put out some apple and pear pieces for the rabbit that ...
Saw a Lynx in my backyard in the winter
I was walking my dog in my back yard, and I was at the side of my house walking toward the back, and I saw a family of Lynx.
I ran inside to get my ...
Black Fox-like animal
Recently while driving near Gowganda in Northern Ontario, we saw what looked like a black Fox. It was not a Red Fox as its legs were way too short and ...
Lynx or something close spotted in St. Catharines
My house is on the Twelve Mile Creek, in St Catherines, and one day I was on a little walk in the back, as I usually do, when I saw a giant cat, so I ...
Cougar in Toronto?
Yesterday I saw an animal that looked much like a Mountain Lion. Historicaly, Mountain Lions have never been spotted in the city of Toronto. I am wondering ...
Deer Along the Trails
I like to walk the trails along the Grand River in Brantford, and I saw these deer in an open area beside the trail.
Thank you so much for the picture ...
Fox and Deer in the middle of Toronto
Tina, from Toronto, sent us this report of her wildlife sightings - Yup, believe it or not, my husband and I were jogging in a pretty major park system,...
Small white animal
I live in the Orangeville, Ontario, area and today, while driving down a country road, I spotted an unusual looking animal by the side of the road.
It ...
Four Flying Squirrels
We observed four Flying Squirrels recently, at 22:00 hours on August 11, 2009
They were congregated around my bird feeder - some feeding on the sunflowers ...
We saw a Possum!
One of our readers in Brampton, Ontario, recently spotted a Possum - here is their story! A couple friends and I were outside at around 2:30am, when ...
Eastern Milk Snake
This item was submitted by one of our regular contributors - thank you Paul, from Barrie, Ontario! With our backyard backing onto a wetlands, we have ...
Lynx in Winter
My family owns a cottage in the Lake of Bays area. A few years ago, in the late 1990's, I was outside walking on the frozen bay, watching to see if any ...
Possums - Barrie, Ontario
I have a Possum as a regular visitor to my bird-feeder. It comes out in day or evening and when I come out the patio door, it generally reacts by leaving ...
Otters & Possums
Location: South Barrie, Ontario. We have lots of animals such as Coyotes , White Tailed Deer , Foxes , rabbits, and others like that. What is more ...
Chipmunks!
One summer day while feeding the Chipmunks, I forgot to close the screen door. Next thing I knew, there was a chippy in the house. I never really knew ...
Frustrated with the mess, I now securely fasten the compost lid ...
Eastern Fox Snake
My Grandparents have a hobby farm located in St Anns, Ontario, at this time the family is helping them fix up their barn.
Living in the walls is a ...
Cougar Before Sunrise
Colchester South Township, East Harrow, Essex, Ontario. I was on a bike ride early one July morning, I came across what appeared to be a short, stubby ...
Coyote - one outside Hamilton (running through a field with what looked like a chicken ...
Cat-like creature near Port Bruce
Not rated yet
Regarding the large cat-like creature - not just me but my sister, husband, and aunt, have all seen a similar feline, small cougar-like creature in the ...
Flying squirrels
Not rated yet
We have a family of Flying Squirrels living in our pine tree near Wasaga Beach, (Georgian Bay) Ontario.
We saw the Mom and the five babies.
Wild Boar by Lake Simcoe
Not rated yet
Driving home to my house just south of Island Grove on the shore of Lake Simcoe, I saw a short-haired grey animal cross the road in front of me, heading ...
Evidence of a beaver in downtown Toronto?
Not rated yet
I live in the middle of a big, busy city (Toronto)and I crave wilderness. I found a magical spot in the middle of the city (a reclaimed 100yr old quarry)...
Baby Possums in Hamilton
Not rated yet
I was outside last night with my cat (who is de-clawed and only goes out on a leash).
It was dark and I usually put her inside before it gets dark....
Possum in Hamilton
Not rated yet
I had never seen a Possum before last night. I was sitting out late last evening and when I looked up I saw a large cat-sized animal (which I thought was ...
Strange Noise!
Not rated yet
3am - heard a strange high pitched screech "mia mia mia mia mia" followed by a low hollow "kronk kronk kronk kronk".
Raven?? Would love to know.
This ...
Mrs. Map Turtle Swims Again
Not rated yet
Here is Mrs. Map Turtle - Remember she was hit by a car a few weeks ago.
We have observed her floating and diving in my hospital tank for 2-3 days....
Map Turtle hit by car!
Not rated yet
Mrs Map Turtle was crossing the road to lay her eggs and a car ran over her. We found 4 gravid eggs by the road. We placed a dot on the top of each egg,...
Uninvited Dinner Guests
Not rated yet
We live in a small town outside of Windsor, Ontario, where we have taken on the responsibility of caring for a colony of cats.
Also included with this ...
Possum
Not rated yet
Just driving home at 2 am down Bronte and highway 407, and just dodged what I think was a Possum!
Reading the info I though it couldn't be, but as ...
Spring Peepers!!!!
Not rated yet
Last night while the sun was setting, it was great to listen to all the birds twitter away, but another familiar sound of spring entered the chorus.
Spring ...
Get out of my Garage!
Not rated yet
I live in the North end of Cambridge and had a Possum encounter yesterday.
I had left my garage door open for a couple of hours and was suprised to ...
Fox in Laurelwood
Not rated yet
One of our readers says - I have seen a red Fox a couple of times now here, crossing Erbsville Road in Laurelwood, Waterloo.
Problems with Wild Canadian Animals?
Is there something living in your attic? A squirrel nesting in your chimney? This site can help you with your Wildlife problem!
Wolves-Ontario site
Information about the wolf, one of the very special Canadian animals, special Wolf habitat and range, Wolf Myths, action to protect and preserve the two species of Wolves in Ontario. Please read and learn from this site, and encourage others to protect and preserve our unique Wolves.
Canadian Geographic for Kids
An interactive site for children that gives lots of information about "les animaux Canadiens", lots of facts about their habits and habitat
Wild Fox A charming story about an injured wild fox and its relationship with a kind, caring human friend