Land Mammals

Article written by David A. Snow from Wildland Tours, in St. John's, Newfoundland

INTRODUCTION

[Welcome!] Part of the adventure of travel involves seeing animals. Whether it is a moose or a vole, people always talk about the wildlife they see in the countryside or near a highway. Local knowledge plus an understanding of animal behaviour and habitats are keys to spotting animals. In addition, animal watchers need to develop a quiet step and a keen, patient eye. Once these have been mastered, the reward is often a great view or photograph of animals at work or play in the Newfoundland and Labrador wilderness.

A mammal is a warm-blooded animal. The young are fed milk by the mother. All the province's mammals give live birth to their young. This page describes the land mammals of Newfoundland and Labrador, plus when and where to go to see species of special interest.

THE LAND MAMMALS

The story of this province's mammals began 15,000 years ago with the last Ice Age. The huge ice sheets covering Labrador, Newfoundland, and much of the Grand Banks started to melt. Our mammals followed the edge of the ice as it retreated north. The plant eaters fed off the new growth springing up around the glacier's edge. Their predators followed. Some scientists believe that many mammals, making their way to Newfoundland and Labrador, came from the now-submerged lands south of the Grand Banks. As new lands were exposed by the receding icecaps, Arctic hare, caribou, and other mammals began moving north. It was mostly animals of the cold open spaces that arrived in Newfoundland before the Island became separated and isolated from the rest of North America. Mammals such as otters and bats arrived later, the ocean not being much of a barrier for them.

Early settlers from Europe caused major changes to the types of mammals found in the woods and waters of Newfoundland. Caribou herds plus populations of pine marten and beaver were extinguished from huge portions of the Island. As many of the species they prey on became scarce, the wolf disappeared. The Arctic hare was replaced by the introduced snowshoe hare over some of the Island. And other new mammals - the moose, the shrew, the mink, the squirrel, and the chipmunk were purposely brought on to the Island. Others were brought in accidentally, such as mice, rats, and the deer mouse. One recent newcomer, the eastern coyote, has taken advantage of changes humans have made to the Continent's entire east coast. The coyotes moved east and travelled across the winter ice pack to become the latest addition to the mammal populations of the province.

One of the best places to learn about the province's mammals is in the Salmonier Nature Park on Route 90, 45 kilometres from St. John's. The park boasts informative exhibits and large enclosures featuring many of the province's wildlife. The Nature Park is open from June to Labour Day and provides a great introduction to the life histories of the mammals of the province. The Newfoundland Museum in St. John's also has exhibits on the province's land mammals. The museum is open year round.

THE MASKED SHREW

This tiny animal was brought to Newfoundland in 1958 to serve as a check on a forest pest, the larch sawfly. One year after the original 22 animals were released, 130 shrews were recaptured at the release site. Since its introduction, this fast-spreading insect eater has travelled across the Island and is now found almost everywhere. The shrew, which is native to Labrador, has a great appetite, sometimes eating its own weight or more a day. It's heart can beat over 800 times per minute.

Hawks and owls enjoy eating shrews, and shrews are often found in the stomachs of large trout and ouananiche (land-locked salmon). The shrew's fast reproductive rate helps to compensate for a short lifespan, which is usually less than two years. Litters of up to eleven young can be produced several times a year. Shrews are constantly eating; they nap but do not have long periods of sleep. if forced to go without food for a few hours, they can starve to death. Newfoundland's smallest mammal weighs less than 6 grams. It is identifiable by its pronounced snout and small size.

Although shrews are found everywhere, they are quite secretive. Look for them around fallen logs and other places where insects or other food items are abundant.

Labrador is home to three other relatives of the masked shrew: the American water shrew, the pygmy shrew, and thestar-nosed mole.

THE BATS

[Myotis Lucifugus: Little Brown Bat] Bats make up one quarter of all the world's mammals. The province's bats are not well studied. They sleep in sheltered places during the day. They use the night to hunt for insects. Most bats have a highly developed sense of echolocation that allows them to fly and hunt in total darkness. The term echolocation is given to the process where the keen ears of the bat capture the echoes from cries given off by the bat. The sounds bounce back from objects in the bat's flight path, are picked up by the ears, and are then used to navigate. This sense, which is a for of sonar, allows a bat to move through the forest, hunt insects, and also avoid hungry owls.

Two types of bats are known from the interior of Newfoundland. The little brown bat is believed to be the most common bat, ranging over all Newfoundland and the southern half of Labrador. little brown bats hibernate over the winter and become active once the temperature exceeds 5 degrees Celsius. During the spring, the bats return to their familiar fields and lake shores. The females father in maternal or nursery colonies during the summer months to give birth and nurse their pups. Each female gives birth to a single pup - typically in late June or early July. As the males provide no paternal assistance, the females work together to raise their young. Each night, one or two remain in the nursery colony with the pups, while the others flu off to hunt moths, mosquitoes, and other insects. Bats can eat over half their body weight in insects a night. by late August the pups are flying, and all the bats are feeding in preparation for the winter. Mating takes place in September or October, when the bats prepare to hibernate.

Little brown bats have been known to live over 20 years. Their only predator in the province is the owl. Bats in general have inspired many superstitions, but the individuals we see around our ponds and river in the evening are completely harmless. The nursing colonies should be avoided for the sake of both the bats and the humans, since large collections of bat dropping can be a serious hazard to human health.

Much less is known about the northern long-eared bat in Newfoundland, but they are common on Newfoundland's west coast and perhaps elsewhere in the province. Dead bats can be distinguished from one another by the length of the ears - long-eared bats have ears that extend beyond the tip of the nose, while little brown bats have much shorter ears. Otherwise, both have a similar appearance - dark brown in colour, with a short wingspan of approximately 22 cm.

[Lasiurus Cinerus: Hoary Bat] Another possible provincial bat is the hoary bat. This high-flying creature is difficult to study but the occasional individual is found around the province. Further studies are needed before this secretive creature, Canada's largest bat with a wingspan of up to 40 cm, is officially added to the list of the province's mammals. other bats have also been known to occur around Newfoundland occasionally; although like the hoary bat, they have not been recorded as breeding here. Silver-haired bats and red bats have been sighted on one or more occasions, but these flying mammals may be victims of wind storms and other unfortunate happenings.

Bats seen in a field or near the water are almost certainly little brown bats or long-eared bats. Enjoy the sight, and be assured that thanks to the bat, there will be fewer mosquitoes around to bother you.

THE HARES

No true rabbits exist in Newfoundland or Labrador. The term rabbit is often used to describe the two varieties of hare found in the province.

[Lepus Americanus: Snowshoe Hare] The snowshoe hare or varying hare is the most common hare on the Island. It was introduced in 1864 in a government effort to introduce a new food source to the local diet. Since its release, the snowshoe hare has spread throughout the Island, and today it is found everywhere except for some barren and mountain regions, as well as a few offshore islands.

The snowshoe hare undergoes a colour change every year, from white in winter to brown in summer. It typically weighs between one and two kilograms and is usually found in forested and marsh areas. The number of snowshoe hares will fluctuate from year to year; the population of its major predator, the lynx, fluctuates with hare numbers. The snowshoe hare's breeding season ranges between March and August. There can be two or more litters a season with two to four young per litter. The following spring, the young hare is ready to mate.

Snowshoe hares are often seen during walks in the forests in both Newfoundland and Labrador. The hares often gather at clearings where a variety of plants can be found. Look for runs or rabbit-sized trails between the trees. These are their forest highways, but to see these animals you must look carefully. The brown summer colours and white winter coat ensure that most people walk by a motionless hare without seeing it.

[Arctic Hare] The highlands of the Long Range Mountains and the Buchans Plateau are home to the Arctic hare, Newfoundland's native hare. Arctic hare may once have been more widespread. It is commonly believed that the introduction of the snowshoe hare has somehow restricted the Arctic hare to the Island's colder, more Arctic-like areas, although there is little historic evidence for this.

During winter, this three to five kilogram hare is pure white except for the black tips of its ears. The summer coat is thinner with a greyish brown back and a white underbelly. The mountain tops of Gros Morne National Park (especially the Callaghan Trail) are the most popular places for viewing Arctic hare. Sometimes small groups of this social animal can be seen. Usually they sit quietly and wait for visitors to pass them by, yet on the rare occasion, they might stand upright and hop for dozens of metres on their hind feet. The provincial mountain tops are also home to the Arctic hare, but its low numbers make it one of the rarest mammals in Newfoundland. In Labrador, they are found on the barren grounds and taiga of the North, together with the barren headlands and coastal island as far South as Groswater Bay.

THE RODENTS

The rodents, or gnawing mammals, are the most numerous of all the world's mammals. Most rodents are small and have constantly growing incisor teeth. This group consists of a variety of families, including the squirrel, rat, and beaver families. Rodents are usually small, very adaptable creatures. Although it is illegal to bring non-native animals to the province, it is likely that over the years new rodents will find their way here and the following listing will grow.

The Squirrel Family

There are no native members of the squirrel family in Newfoundland; however, both the red squirrel and the eastern chipmunk have been introduced.

[Red Squirrel] The bushy tail and loud chattering of the red squirrel is now familiar to most Newfoundlanders who frequent the woods. From their points of introduction on the Northern Peninsula in 1963 and Notre Dame Bay in 1964, the squirrel has spread to al the forests of Newfoundland. From first light to dark, winter and summer, squirrels keep themselves busy gathering nuts, cones, mushrooms, berries, and seeds. Insects, bird eggs, song birds and food items stolen from human homes and cottage round out the squirrel's diet. Squirrels may breed twice in a year, producing litters of three to seven young. They are known to live as long as ten years. By three months of age, the young are close to adult size and have left the nest for life on their own. Squirrels can be seen along most woodland paths in both Newfoundland and Labrador. The forests of Labrador are also home to the northern flying squirrel. This brown relative of the red squirrel is famous for its gliding abilities, yet bats are the only mammals that truly fly.

The chipmunk has been less successful in adapting to the Newfoundland climate. In 1962 chipmunks were introduced to Barachois Pond Provincial Park, and in 1964 they were brought to Sir Richard Squires Provincial Park. In 1968 more chipmunks were brought to Butterpot Provincial Park. They are fairly common around the areas of introduction, but do not appear to be spreading at a very fast rate, if at all. Chipmunk prefer the deciduous forests of southern Canada and the United States. They do not occur in northern climates and are not found in Labrador.

Unlike the tree-dwelling squirrel, chipmunks prefer to spend most of their time on the ground. Here they dig burrows and feed on berries, seeds, bird eggs - much the same sort of food items as the squirrel. The chipmunk is smaller than the red squirrel and can be identified by its yellow eye ring, yellow stripe from the whiskers to below the ears, and the five blackish stripes down its back. Anybody wishing to see chipmunks in Newfoundland should visit the forested parts of the three provincial parks that were the original release sites.

The Beaver

[Beaver] North America's largest rodent is found all over Newfoundland and Labrador. Beavers are usually found along wooden steams and lake shores with good supplies of small trees and other plants. They are famous for building dams of mud and sticks across streams so they can maintain a constant water level around their living area. Most people are familiar with the sight of dome-shaped beaver lodges around the edge of a pond, but beavers will also make their homes by burrowing into the mud along the side of a river or a pond.

Beavers eat a variety of plants. In the summer, pond lily roots are favoured but the leaves and bark of most trees, especially deciduous trees like the aspen, willow, and birch, add to the kit. During the late summer and fall, beavers store branches at the bottom of their ponds in preparation for winter. A beaver colony usually consists of five or six animals made up of the breeding pair, some yearlings, and the young of the year. Beaver kits are usually born in May, and litter size is typically two or three. two year olds leave the lodge when the ice disappears in the spring and seek out places to start their own colonies. During this period they travel widely and may be found long distances from the water.

Beavers can weigh up to 25 kilograms. They have a coarse layer of dark, reddish brown fur over a dense coat o soft, dark brown underfur. They have sharp claws and large scaly, naked hind feed. Their lodges and underwater habits help protect them from lynx and other predators.

Beavers are quite common around the province and can sometimes be watched from major roads and highways. they can be seen most anywhere on the Island and have even been observed swimming at sea in some sheltered arms of Terra Nova National Park. Look for them to be most active early in the morning and at dusk. Observers must stay quiet or else the large flat tail will be loudly smacked against the water to inform other beavers about the presence of danger. Following this warning the beavers usually disappear from view. People interested in viewing beavers should look for a well- maintained lodge or dam. Both National Parks, the Salmonier Nature Park, and hundreds of other spots in Newfoundland and Labrador provide great watching opportunities.

Over the past 200 years, beaver numbers in the province have been influenced by hunting and trapping. Overhunting in the early 20th century reduced beaver numbers on the Island close to the point of extinction. Between 1935 and 1957 beavers were taken from their last few strongholds and redistributed over most of the Island. this program of reintroduction to large sections of Newfoundland has fuelled a mistaken belief that the beaver is an introduced or new animal for the province.

The Muskrat

The muskrat gets its name from the two glands near its tail that secrete a musky smell. it resembles a large field mouse or rat with dark brown fur, large feet, a long black whip- like tail, and a weight that rarely reaches 1.5 kilograms. The small, conical twig and reed houses of the muskrat are found all over the province, from St. John's to the tree line; but most of the province's muskrats live in burrows. When houses are built they resemble a small beaver lodge and feature an underwater entrance. Often five or more related animals will live together in the lodge or den.

Muskrats seldom venture far from the water. Their favourite foods include a variety of aquatic plants, freshwater clams, and an occasional fish. During a summer the female can have two or three litters of up to 14 young. After a month, the young are weaned and start to forage on their own. Muskrats are active all year long, but some of the best viewing occurs in the fall as house or den building is in full swing and young adults are wandering about looking for new home sites.

The muskrat is a favourite food item of foxes, lynx, mink, hawks, and other predators. The fast rate or reproduction allows the muskrat populations to withstand these dangers.

The Meadow Vole

This small animal is also known as the field mouse. it has small fur-covered ears and a short tail. Its dense fur can vary in colour from rusty brown to dusky grey. It is found in almost every provincial habitat - forest, bog, barren, and meadow. Voles make a series of tiny runways by trampling down grass and other plants. These are their highways, which serve as travel routes between the crevices and burrows used for dens and the feeding areas where they gather seeds, berries, leaves, grasses, and insects. In winter, the voles travel using tunnels dug through the snow.

Voles are eaten by many larger animals including birds of prey, foxes, mink, lynx, marten, weasels, and coyotes. The number of voles in an area can increase and decrease dramatically over a few years. This animal has a very fast reproductive rate. Females can have five or more litters a year with up to nine young produced per litter. Two weeks after birth the young are weaned and able to travel their secret highways in search or food. Meadow voles are found throughout all of Newfoundland and Labrador.

A second type of vole, the boreal red-back vole, is found throughout the forested parts of Labrador. It gets its name from the reddish band of fur along the back. At weights of up to 37 grams, it grows to half the size of the meadow vole. the red-back vole was experimentally introduced to two island in Notre Dame Bay in 1967. Recent surveys have failed to find any of these creatures, but they may still be about.

A third vole, the European bank vole, appears to be thriving following its introduction to the Notre Dame Bay islands although there is no record of their spreading to other places.

Other members of the vole family, including two varieties of lemming, are found in Labrador but absent from Newfoundland.

The Deer Mouse

[Deer Mouse] This introduced rodent is believed to have found its way to Newfoundland by travelling inside imported bales of hay. Great numbers have been reported in some farming areas and elsewhere throughout the western portion of Newfoundland, but there has been little study of their distribution on the Island. They are native to Labrador. Deer mice eat a variety of seeds, grasses, and insects. They build nests in tree cavities, bird nests, and under piles of logs where they have litters of two to eight young. The belly and feet are white, the head and back are brown, and the ears are naked. They are eaten by most larger predators including foxes, lynx, weasels, and birds of prey.

In other parts of North America, deer mice carry the dangerous Hanta virus. Although no cases have been reported from the province, trapping or handling of live deer mice should be discouraged.

The Rat

The common rat or Norway rat occurs near human habitation all over the world. It is found throughout Newfoundland where people live and in the southern parts of coastal Labrador. It has a grey-brown coat and a thick brown scaly tail. It is ferocious when cornered and can inflict nasty bites that often develop bad infections. Rats came to the province on the first sailing ships.

The rat is active year-round and is often seen near rivers, lakes, and along wharves. It can live a totally wild lifestyle, but most rats forage at sites where human activity makes food available. They also eat berries, grass, insects, and smaller rodents. Garbage dumps are places with very high rat numbers, and during many winters, snowy owls from more northerly areas travel to the larger dumps to prey on rats. Rats breed year-round and can have up to eight young per litter. they are eaten by owls, mink, lynx, and other large predators. Gulls have been known to knock rats off wharves and hold them underwater until they drown, while rats have destroyed eggs and young at colonies of gulls and other seabirds.

The House Mouse

This small brown rodent with a naked tail about the same length as its body is found almost everywhere humans live including the Antarctic. It is most active at night and prefers to nest in areas where there are stored or leftover grains, fruit, and garbage. Mice will eat anything available to them including insects and seeds. Young are born year-round, and there can be up to twelve per litter. the young are capable of producing their own litters at five or six weeks of age. The house mouse often spends summers in fields and forested areas, but it moves inside human buildings for the fall and winter.

Many wild birds and animals will eat mice, but they spend too much time inside the walls, attics, and basements of human dwellings to be a valuable food for most predators.

Other Rodents

Labrador shares many members of the rodent family with Newfoundland. Chipmunks and European bank voles are absent from Labrador but have been introduced to portions of Newfoundland. In addition to the rodents described, Labrador is also home to porcupines, northern bog lemmings, collared lemmings, heather voles, rock voles, woodchucks, meadow jumping mice, and woodland jumping mice.

THE WEASEL FAMILY

Four members of this family are found on the Island of Newfoundland. Three of these (marten, otter, and ermine) are native, while the mink was introduced by escapees and purposeful releases from mink farms. Labrador has all four of these creatures together with the fisher, the least weasel, and the endangered wolverine.

The weasel family includes small- to mid- sized meat-eaters. Most have long bodies and well-developed scent glands near the tail. Males are usually larger than the females, often growing to be twice their size.

The Marten

This secretive, cat-faced animal is in danger of disappearing from Newfoundland. It is found in western Newfoundland near Little Grand Lake and perhaps in some other areas. Some individuals were reintroduced from this population to Terra Nova National Park where they continue to be seen occasionally. Trapping, habitat destruction, accidental capture in snares, and the Island's limited variety of prey items have removed the marten from most other portions of Newfoundland. The Salmonier Nature Park is involved with a captive breeding program for this endangered mammal. Excerpt for the northern tip, healthy populations of marten are found throughout Labrador.

The marten, often referred to as the pine marten, eats small rodents, squirrels, hares, birds, and insects. Their favourite food in Labrador, the red-back vole, is absent from Newfoundland. Marten often hunt along the runways or runs of snowshoe hares where they have fatal encounters with snares set by hunters. They also spend considerable amounts of time in the trees. The pine marten is about the size of a small house cat. It has brown fur with yellowish to reddish coloration. The throat has a distinctive yellow-orange patch, and the head appears slightly small for the body. Large males may weigh two kilograms.

The River Otter

[Sea Otter] The river otter lives throughout the entire province in lakes and along the coast. Its streamlined body features short legs, a long tapering tail, and webbed feet. Weights of up to 14 kilograms have been reported in areas where good feeding allows the animals to reach a large size. The river otter is the largest member of the weasel family to reside in the province.

Fish provide most of the otter's food. Frogs, insects, marine invertebrates (mussels, crabs, clams), and an occasional bird or small mammal are also taken; but nearly all food is taken within view of the water. The otter's den is a burrow in the bank of a lake or stream. Coastal hillsides, old beaver houses, and crevices under large rocks may also be used. In the early spring up to six young are born, and by July the young are out hunting with the parents. The otter family always finds time to play. Otters can often be seen sliding down any suitable hill or playing games in the water. By the age of one, adult size is attained, and mating may occur. The otter can live for fifteen or more years.

Otters have large territories and may take four or more weeks to complete a round trip. These territories will overlap with other otters. A skilled eye can find otter slides or "rubs" near lakes or the coast. In the winter the otter may travel further from the water - a ploughed furrow in the snow is a tell-tale sign of its passage.

The Ermine or Short-Tailed Weasel

This fierce little hunter is found throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Its long slender body and small size allow it to enter the burrows of rats and mice. Although a large rat may weigh more than five times as much as a weasel, the weasel will eat the rat and use its fur for den covering. Voles, squirrels, frogs, and insects are other important food items. Weasels are strong climbers and will chase squirrels through the trees. They are also good swimmers and will take an occasional fish.

In summer the weasel's fur is brown with white or yellowish underparts. In the fall the fur turns pure white except for the tip of the tail, which remains black year-round.

Weasels are frequently found near areas where humans live since they prey on rats and mice. Weasels also enter chicken coops killing far more birds than they can eat. Both weasels and mink will go into a "killing frenzy" where every chicken in the hen house or every tern chick on a coastal island will be killed and left to rot. Although weasels can appear quite curious and pretty, it is wise for people and their pets to avoid them. Pound for pound, weasels and their family members are often considered to be the most ferocious animals in the world.

The Mink

This large, dark-coloured weasel is native to Labrador. It was brought into Newfoundland and distributed to fur farmers during the 1930s. Escapes and a government program of introductions during the 1940s have enabled the mink to spread throughout the Island.

Mink are frequently seen near lakes, streams, and the coast. They have partially webbed feet and are excellent swimmers able to travel thirty or more metres underwater. In winter they also swim under the ice. Fish are a major part of the mink's diet; but they also eat berries, birds, hare, and rodents. Along the coast mink eat crabs, mussels, and other marine creatures. The introduction of mink to Newfoundland has been blamed for dramatic declines in populations of frogs, muskrats, and certain birds. Although there is debate about how much blame the mink deserves, they have had devastation effects on tern colonies where they swim out to coastal islands, kill every egg or young bird, and force the adults to seek new breeding sites.

The mink shares the same slender body shape as the ermine or short-tail weasel but is much heavier, with large males weighing close to 1.5 kilograms. They can be a real nuisance to farmers who keep chickens, but they also help keep rat and mouse numbers down.

THE PROVINCE'S ONLY WILD CAT: THE LYNX

The province's only wild cat is found throughout the Island of Newfoundland and south of Nain, Labrador. The lynx is a shy, wary creature that is found wherever its favourite prey, the snowshoe hare, is found. Numbers of lynx go up and down with hare populations, but they are seldom considered to be common.

[close-up of lynx] The lynx is recognisable by its feline face, tawny fur, long legs, short black-tipped tail, long black ear tufts, and the wide furry feet it uses as showshoes in winter. Lynx can weigh up to 18 kilograms. Lynx mate in February or March with one to four kittens being born in April or May.

After two months the young leave the den, and by early fall they are on their own. They are ready to mate during the next breeding season.

Lynx don most of their travel and hunting at night, but they can occasionally be seen during the day. While hare is their favourite food, lynx also eat birds, voles, and other rodents. They will scavenge fish and any other meat they can find. Lynx attacks on caribou and moose calves often cause fatal infections if the youngster isn't immediately killed. Many farmers have lost sheep and chickens to lynx. Lynx have been known to attack people travelling through the woods with freshly taken trout or rabbits, and have been reported to occasionally stalk young children.

Lynx are creatures of habit, therefore if one is spotted in a certain area, it is likely to return. Lynx can be viewed at the Salmonier Nature Park.

THE DEER FAMILY

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to two members of this widespread family. Caribou are found throughout the province. Labrador shares the world's largest caribou herd with Quebec, while Newfoundland boasts the world's most southerly and accessible herds. Moose were introduced to Newfoundland in 1878 and again in 1904. In 1953 they were brought to southern Labrador, but others are known to have moved in from Quebec. The province features prime moose habitat, and in some areas the number of moose per square kilometre is among the highest in the world.

As members of the deer family, moose and caribou share several biological features including antlers. Antlers are bony outgrowths from the skull, prominent in all males of the deer family, and many female caribou. Caribou are the only member of the deer family with antlered females. Antlers are shed each winter, to quickly regrow. During growth, the antlers are covered with a layer of fine skin and hair referred to as velvet. The velvet covers a network of veins which provide the necessary nutrition to the growing antlers. As growth nears completion, the animal rubs its antlers against trees and rocks to remove the velvet, leaving the bony antlers which are used to fight for mates and discourage predators.

The Moose
Moose can spend almost a full minute underwater while feeding on pond lilies and other freshwater plants.

[Moose] The moose is found all over Newfoundland and in southern Labrador. The populations of moose around the province fluctuate with the availability of food and other factors, but during some years the provincial population has been estimated to go as high as 160,000 animals.

The moose is the largest member of the deer family. Large males can stand over 2 metres (7 feet) tall and weigh over 545 kilograms (1200 pounds). Females are slightly smaller but are still taller than other provincial animals. The colour is usually deep brown, but there is some variation. The heavier winter coat tends to be longer, thicker, and lighter in colour than the summer coat. A flap of skin known as the bell hangs down from the throat.

Mating takes place in the fall as the forests fill with the angry bellowing challenges of the bulls and the moaning calls of the cows. Bulls have been known to chase people and attack vehicles at this time of year - which is usually referred to as the "rut". Females with young calves are also dangerous. Calves are usually born in late May. They stay with the mother until the following spring. After mating, the moose often gather in "yards" or valleys featuring a good supply of food and shelter from the winter winds.

The moose is an animal of forest and pond. During summer, waterlilies and a variety of aquatic plants are favourite foods. The leaves of birch, alder, and fir trees together with a host of smaller woodland and marshland plants are also eaten.

Moose can be found almost anywhere. In the early 1990s a moose walked into a St. John's supermarket, and every year the province's capital city is visited by moose. Every community south of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, has its moose stories.

Moose pose a serious hazard on the highway, especially in the hours between dusk and dawn. They are unpredictable around moving vehicles and will sometimes panic. These frightened moose often doom themselves and the people in the vehicle to a dangerous collision. Almost every Newfoundlander and Labradorian knows somebody who has had a frightening experience or a more serious incident with a moose. When you drive at night anywhere in the province, always be alert for these animals.

A slow drive along many of our highways will often bring about moose sightings. Moose alert signs are posted in many areas where moose are commonly seen; although once you are in the woods away from communities, you almost always have some chance of finding a moose. Look for them in forest clearings and near ponds or rivers. The National Parks provide especially good moose watching opportunities.

The Caribou
When you drive at night in the province, always be alert for moose and caribou.

The early Europeans who settled in the province named places such as Deer Lake and Deer Park after the abundant caribou herds. The caribou has been a symbol of the provincial wilderness for centuries. During the two world wards the caribou was the emblem for the soldiers of what was then the country of Newfoundland.

[Caribou Stags] The caribou are creatures of the barrens and woodlands. During the summer they eat grasses, leaves, and a variety of flowering plants. During the winter ground lichens (including caribou moss) and tree lichens (old man's beard) become their major food items Caribou dig away the snow covering the ground lichens with their wide, snowshoe-like feet. Mating occurs in the fall. Large bulls may assemble a harem of 30 or more cows although smaller groups of five or six are typical. Most of the young are born in late May or early June. Within a few days they can run faster than a human athlete and are able to outdistance bears and lynx.

Caribou typically migrate between summer feeding areas, overwintering areas, and calving grounds. The clicking noise of their feet, produced by the internal rubbing together of foot bones, in the sound that goes with these migrations.

The coloration of the caribou varies with the seasons. In winter the animals have thick, white coats. This gives way to a summer coat featuring brown and black fur on the animal's back together with lighter fur along the stomach.

Newfoundland boasts several major caribou herds and a number of smaller herds. These groups come together and separate into subherds with the seasons.

[Caribou herd] The Avalon Peninsula has the world's most southerly caribou herd living in and around the Avalon Wilderness Reserve. It also boasts some of the world's largest caribou. Travellers on Route 10 south of St. John's have a very good chance of seeing caribou between Cappahayden and Peter's River. Nowhere else in North America is such a large herd located so close to an international airport. The Avalon herd is located a two-hour drive from the St. John's Airport. Hikers travelling through the wilderness area also stand an excellent chance of seeing these caribou and other wildlife. This herd, which numbers close to 6,000 animals, moves about according to weather and food supplies.

The Avalon has another herd of over 1,000 animals, members of which can sometimes be viewed between St. Brides and Branch (Route 100) and between Branch and North Harbour (Route 92). A third, very small herd is found near Bay de Verde (Route 70).

In addition to the southern Avalon, the best places to see caribou near the highway are Gros Morne National Park (Route 430), the Bay D'Espoir Highway (Route 480), the Burgeo Highway (Route 480), and the Burin Peninsula Highway (Route 210) near Terrenceville. In these places drivers should always watch out for slow moving caribou on the highway. If none are visible, then a trip over some woods roads will often bring hundreds or thousands of caribou into view. Local advice can almost guarantee sightings of this majestic monarch of the barrens.

There are dozens of other places to view wild caribou. Large islands including Merasheen, Fogo, Random, Grey, and Brunette are home to small caribou herds. Hikers and walkers can visit Middle Ridge (20,000 caribou), the Buchans Plateau (7,000), Grey River (15,000), LaPoile (9,000), the Gaff Topsails (5,000), Pot Hill and Sandy Lake (9,500), plus a variety of other sites where small numbers of Newfoundland's 70,000 caribou can be viewed.

Labrador boasts the George's River herd, which has had a population size approaching 750,000 animals. This is the world's largest herd. In the fall, caribou can often be seen along the Labrador highway (Route 500). There are also many smaller herds. Although Labrador has fewer highways than Newfoundland, there is still many opportunities for caribou viewing.

THE DOG FAMILY

Members of the dog family are all carnivores or meat eaters. The province is home to Arctic fox, red fox, and the newly arrived coyote. The most famous member of this family, the wolf, is extinct in Newfoundland, yet is common in Labrador.

The Wolf

[Wolf] The last known wolf in Newfoundland was killed in the early 20th century. The pelt of one of the last wolves in on exhibit at the Newfoundland Museum in St. John's. Wolves are fairly common throughout Labrador, and some have been reported along the coast of the Straight of Belle Isle, a mere 17 ice-covered kilometres (10 miles) from Newfoundland. Some biologists believe it is simply a matter or time before wolves manage to reintroduce themselves to Newfoundland.

The wolf is the largest member of the dog family. Its coat varies in colour and can range from white to grey to black. Weights of up to 65 kilograms (140 pounds) have occasionally been reported. The wolf is an adaptable creature, living in forests and on the barrens. Its diet includes moose and caribou; ducks, grouse, voles, shrews, and other small animals make up a substantial amount of food items. Foxes, coyotes, and domestic dogs will also be killed and eaten by this "top dog". Although superstitious humans have given the wolf a bad reputation, only animals with rabies have been known to attack humans, and these instances are very rare. Their howls at night enrich the experience of the Labrador wilderness.

The Coyote

The coyote is new to the province. It has travelled over land and frozen sea ice from more westerly parts of Canada. There have been some changes to the coyote as it moved east - individuals in the province and eastern Canada appear to have included dogs and wolves in their family trees. Coyotes have been spotted all over the Island, from St. John's to the Northern Peninsula, and in 1995 the first coyote was found in Labrador.

[Coyote] The diet of the coyote is varied, being both a scavenger and predator. Birds, rodents, berries, farm animals, and pets may all be eaten. Eastern coyotes are generally larger than the western coyotes. They take large amounts of deer in eastern Canada and probably take small moose and caribou in the province. The coyote is quite wily and has been known to take livestock and pet animals that have been tied on to their owners' homes.

The coyote resembles a medium-sized dog with a sharp, pointed face, large pointed ears, and a long bushy tail. Males are usually bigger than females, and the coloration include grey and white fur. The colour and larger size distinguishes the coyote from the fox. The coyote's distinctive yipping barks followed by long, drawn-out howls have added a new night-time sound to the forest and barrens.

The Red Fox

[Red Fox] The name "red fox" is misleading since the coloration of this common provincial animal includes black, yellowish, silver, and mixed-colouring individuals together with the more famous red foxes. All these colour variations may occur within the normal littler of five to six kits. The young are adult-sized at the age of six months and start their own families in their second year. This slender, dog-like animal features a white-tipped bushy tail measuring approximately one-third its entire length; and a sharp, pointed face with erect ears. Underground dens are usually dug out by the fox's sharp claws, although sometimes large hollow logs are put to use.

Red foxes are found throughout Newfoundland and Labrador in all types of habitat. Their diet is quite varied. In the fall it includes fruits and berries, although meat, including voles, mice, squirrels, birds, bird eggs, insects, and hares, tend to be favourite dietary items. Along the coast, the red fox preys on seabirds and scavenges dead fish. Given the opportunity, a hen house or a source of human food will not go unexplored.

Every year foxes are attracted to roadsides by litter. People stop to watch them, throwing food to the ever-opportunistic fox. This leads to bitings, traffic jams, and injured foxes. The Parks Canada slogan "A Red Fox is a Dead Fox" is an unfortunate truth for the foxes that scavenge along the highways and near human communities. Foxes are commonly seen in our National Parks, coastal headlands, and many other areas of the province. Cape Spear (the most easterly point in all of North America), near St. John's, plus the National Parks, are the province's most popular fox spotting locations.

The Arctic Fox

[Arctic Fox] The Arctic fox is much smaller and less common than its cousin, the red fox. The Arctic fox changes its coat seasonally: in winter it grows a thick pure white coat, contrasting its black nose; in summer its coat appears bluish black with a whitish underbelly. Arctic foxes seen coming ashore from pack ice in the spring are believed to be a source of rabies in Newfoundland.

Arctic foxes are best known along the coast of Labrador and the Northeast coast of Newfoundland, although they are great wanderers. They prefer coastal areas where they scavenge fish and prey on seabirds, ground-nesting shore birds, and voles. The most reliable place to see them is the Salmonier Nature Park.

THE BEAR FAMILY

Bears feel threatened when surprised. If you encounter a bear, keep calm and make a wide detour or retreat from the area. Playing dead is not appropriate with black bears or polar bears.

Newfoundland is home to some of the world's largest black bears with some individuals exceeding 250 kilograms. In spring, polar bears, whom grow to be much larger than black bears, often swim to shore along Newfoundland's Northeast coast or west coast from the ice floes where they hunt seals. These huge animals use the Island as a resting stop before returning home to the north.

Labrador is home to both black bears and polar bears (water bears to some Labradorians). The northern portions of Labrador are home to the world's smallest black bears. The grizzly bear is also believed to have lived in Labrador, realised by legends and several old trapping reports. The only grizzly bear remains ever found east of the Hudson Bay was a skull taken from a 2400-year-old midden or dumpsite near Okak, Labrador.

The Black Bear

[Black Bear] Newfoundland's big bruins eat more meat, especially moose and caribou, and less plant material than black bears in other parts of North America. Newfoundland lacks many types of nutritious plants found elsewhere, and the bears compensate by eating more meat. In contrast, Labrador holds some of the world's smallest black bears. The animals found north of Nain struggle against a harsh climate with a short summer season, growing more slowly and reproducing less frequently than the world's other black bear populations.

Black bears are solitary animals that eat a variety of foods including leaves, berries, grass, fish, insects, and small mammals. They will occasionally take a farmer's livestock.

Black bears mate in the summer. After mating season, a thick layer of fat is built up in preparation for the winter. Sheltered dens such as caves, large hollow logs, and wind-fall trees are chosen for overwintering. In late January or early February one to three (usually two) tiny cubs are born to the dormant female. Black bears are not true hibernators since their body temperature remains high and they can be fairly easily aroused. In late March or April, the cubs, each weighing about 3 kilograms, emerge from the den with their mother. They remain together until early fall when the young are weaned or until the second spring. After this the bears lead a solitary lifestyle with the young reaching adult size at the age of five or six.

Black bears are found throughout the province except for the Avalon Peninsula. If spotted, they should not be approached. Never attempt to feed bears; campers should always store food so bears cannot smell or reach it. Never store cooked food in tents since bears will come to look for it.

[Black Bear] Attacks by black bears are rare, but they do occur. Between 1984 and 1994 six people were killed and thirty-six injured by black bear attacks in British Columbia, Canada. There have been very few serious human safety complaints about black bears in Newfoundland and Labrador, although several campers have been frightened or had coolers of food stolen, and others have been chased. The most dangerous bears are those that get into the habit of being fed by people, as well as the females defending their cubs. Black bears will chase their cubs up trees and defend them from the base of the tree. Despite their chubby appearance, black bears are extremely strong - their cast-iron-like muscles are capable of ripping a car apart in search of food.

Hikers should always look for signs of black bears - droppings, or claw-marked trees. Being noisy is a good idea in back bear country. Surprises are avoided when the bear hears you coming, and will usually leave. Most encounters are unsuspecting, with the human often never knowing that they were in the vicinity of a black bear. Unleashed dogs have been known to antagonise bears, bring attacks on their owners. Examining a dead moose or caribou in the countryside can also provoke bears trying to protect their kill. Experts suggest that if you find yourself facing a black bear you should back away slowly while talking calmly to the bear. Black bears often bluff charge, testing to see if you are potentially endangering. Do not run away from a confronted black bear - most bears can outrun a race horse. Avoid eye contact with the animal (also with most animals in similar situations) as this can be perceived as aggressive behaviour. Finally, if you are actually attacked by a black bear, fight back. The province's black bears have never been a serious problem for people, and with some common sense, they never will be. In contrast, moose are responsible for numerous injuries and the occasional death due to their erratic behaviour around cars.

For more information on black bears, see Gros Morne National Park's page on bear safety.

The Polar Bear

[Polar Bear] During the spring ice floes from the north sweep down along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. This is where millions of harp seals and thousands of hood seals are born. Polar bears are part of this spring-time event as they travel along the ice floes in search of prey.

As the pack breaks up, the seals all take to the water and return north. Polar bears, like the seals, are very strong swimmers capable of travelling hundreds of kilometres without approaching land. They do, however, enjoy the opportunity to haul themselves up on the land for a rest. During the spring as the ice breaks up, polar bears sometimes come ashore along the coast of Newfoundland and southern Labrador. If left undisturbed they simply make their way back to their northern home. The polar bear's fearsome reputation as a hunter of humans makes these infrequent visits the subject of great concern. In recent years, many coastal communities, including St. John's (particularly a lucky bingo hall!), have been visited by polar bears.

If a polar bear is spotted it should be avoided and reported to the wildlife authorities. Polar bears near communities have been captured and transported to northern Labrador, although most of these northern visitors stay long enough to rest before heading back home. Polar bears live year-round in northern Labrador, and all travellers to this part of the province should go prepared to encounter this powerful animal, which will hunt a human like a cat will hunt a mouse.

OTHER MAMMALS

Over the past few centuries humans have brought a variety of other land mammals to the province. In June 1964, twenty four bison were introduced to Brunette Island in Fortune Bay. By 1994, one lone male was all that remained of the experiment.

In 1908 Sir Wilfred Grenfell introduced reindeer from Lapland to the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador. These disappeared as they were either dispersed among the caribou herds or else were killed by local hunters during the period of World War One. Some of the parasites carried by the reindeer are now found in the province's caribou.

In 1987 and again in 1995 biologists from the province's Wildlife Division spotted small numbers of musk ox in northern Labrador just south of Cape Chidley. These animals are believed to have originated with an experimental introduction in Northern Quebec.

Labrador boasts a huge landscape and is not yet well studied by biologists. The ranges and abundance of many mammals are open to debated. People are having an ever-increasing role on the status of the province's land mammals and other types of wildlife.

Seabirds


This document was transcribed by permission from "A Self-Driving Guide: Land Mammals", and is available from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism, Culture, & Recreation.
Article written by David A. Snow from Wildland Tours, in St. John's, Newfoundland
Watercolour Illustration by Ventzeslav Vesselinov
Printed in Canada by Dicks & Company Ltd, 1996
ISBN: 1-55146-037-8

Return to the tourism index Ahead to Sea Kayaking
[an error occurred while processing this directive]