Canada Trip.co.uk

Well, we’re a blog about Canada, and children all through the UK who go to parks with ponds or small lakes will be very familiar with the sight of Canada Geese. But, if these are, as their name describes — ‘Canadian’ geese, why are they in the UK? Do they fly here? Well keep reading and you may just find out!

The Canada Goose is a wild goose, which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, having a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body. It is often called the Canadian Goose, though technically this isn’t its correct name.. being picky that is!

This species is native to North America. It breeds in Canada and the northern United States in a variety of habitats. Its nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes, ponds and sometimes on a beaver lodge. Its eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down. The Great Lakes region maintains a very large population of Canada Geese.

By the early 20th century, over-hunting and loss of habitat in the late 1800s and early 1900s had resulted in a serious decline in the numbers of this bird in its native range. The Giant Canada Goose subspecies was believed to be extinct in the 1950s until, in 1962, a small flock was discovered wintering in Rochester, Minnesota, by Harold Hanson of the Illinois Natural History Survey. With improved game laws and habitat recreation and preservation programs, their populations have recovered in most of their range, although some local populations, especially of the subspecies occidentalis, may still be declining. (more…)

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The moose is the largest species in the deer family, and they can be massive! We were lucky enough when driving back from Algonquin Park to see a moose standing by the side of the road, and its only when you’re close to one that you can actually appreciate how big these animals can actually get!

In North America, the moose range includes almost all of Canada, most of Alaska, much of New England and upstate New York, the upper Rocky Mountains, Northeastern Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Isle Royale in Lake Superior.

All moose are herbivores and are capable of consuming many types of plant or fruit. The average adult moose needs to consume 9,770 calories per day to maintain its body weight. Much of a moose’s energy is derived from terrestrial vegitation, mainly consisting of forbs and other non-grasses, and fresh shoots from trees such as willow and birch. These plants are rather low in sodium, and moose generally need to consume a good quantity of aquatic plants. While much lower in energy, these plants provide the moose with its sodium requirements, and as much as half of their diet usually consists of aquatic plantlife. In winter, moose are often drawn to roadways, to lick salt that is used as a snow and ice melter. A typical moose, weighing 360 kilograms, can eat up to 32kg of food per day.
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North America’s smallest and most common species of bear. It is a generalist animal, being able to exploit numerous different habitats and foodstuffs. The American black bear is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, due to the species’ widespread distribution and a large global population estimated to be twice that of all other bear species combined. The species is not overly dangerous to humans, but has been responsible for a few deaths, as well as property damage and livestock predation. The American black bear has been the source of inspiration for numerous popular cultural depictions of bears, including the Teddy Bear and Winnie the Pooh.

The most omnivorous species of all bears, the black bear’s diet is mainly vegetarian, feeding on buds, berries, switching to roots and nuts in the fall. In fact 3/4 of their diet is made up of vegetable matter. The other 1/4 is made up of carrion, insects, grubs, and worms. The black bear also hunts mice, small birds, and fish. Found in both deciduous and coniferous forest, from the Tundra to Mexico as long as there is natural forest for habitat. Den’s are often made out of a hollow tree, a shallow cave or an excavation.
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One of my favourite and definitely one of the cutest creatures you’ll see out and about when you visit Canada – is the fluffy little workaholic, foodaholic chipmunk!

A Chipmunk stuffing an entire monkey nut into its mouth

Chipmunks are some of the most daring critters you’ll ever meet, and you probably thought squirrels were pretty daring. Some chipmunks you may know are Alvin, Simon and Theodore – or maybe even Disney’s Chip and Dale. It seems fitting that these lively and entertaining little critters have been animated, because when you come across one you’ll likely see the characters you see on TV being acted out in front of you!

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So you’re heading off to Canada, lets have a look at another one of its none human inhabitants! – The North American Badger!

When i saw all the photos online before i went out to Canada, all the photos i had seen kind of made the north American cousin to our European badger look pretty ugly and vicious.. but seeing one for real at Muskoka Wildlife Centre actually showed me that they can be quite cute! Yes, they are equally dangerous – so you have to stay well away if you saw one in the wild, but they are equally cute with their flat bodies and the ears that almost seem like they’re on the very sides of their heads! (more…)

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If you’re lucky when you’re out in Canada, you may by chance get to meet some of Canada’s wildlife – I’m going to be posting a couple of facts about the animals you are likely to see there and about while you’re out – see if you can spot them all while you’re out there!

First up – The Raccoon!

Meet Rachael

The Raccoon is my favourite animal, and every year we go – they manage to amaze me with their intelligence, dexterity, agility and personality. We stay at a location where raccoons are very common, and we treat them now and then to a variety of different -raccoon safe- foods.
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