List of mammals of Newfoundland facts for kids

Welcome to Newfoundland! This amazing island, part of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, is home to many cool animals. This page is all about the mammals you can find living in the wild here. Some of these animals have always lived on the island, while others arrived more recently, either on their own or with help from people.

Only 14 known mammal species (and one extinct species) are or were native to Newfoundland. Many of these native species are special because they are genetically distinct subspecies. This means they are a unique type of a more common animal found elsewhere in Canada and North America.

Native Mammals of Newfoundland

These are the mammals that have lived on Newfoundland for a very long time, long before Europeans arrived.

Bats

Bats are the only flying mammals! They are super important for controlling insects.

• Northern long-eared bat, Myotis septentrionalis
• Hoary bat, Lasiurus cinereus
• Little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus

Bears

• Newfoundland black bear, Ursus americanus hamiltoni
  • The Newfoundland black bear is a special subspecies of the American black bear. It's found only on this island! These bears are usually shy and like to live in forests. They eat a lot of berries, nuts, and plants, but they can also eat insects and fish.

Rodents and Lagomorphs

These are small, often furry, mammals.

• Newfoundland beaver, Castor canadensis caecator
  • The Newfoundland beaver is a unique type of beaver. Beavers are famous for building amazing dams and lodges in rivers and lakes. They use their strong teeth to cut down trees. These structures help create wetlands, which are important homes for many other animals.
• Arctic hare, Lepus arcticus bangsii
  • The Arctic hare is a large hare that lives in cold, open areas. It has thick fur that helps it stay warm. In winter, its fur often turns white to help it blend in with the snow. This helps it hide from predators.
• Muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus obscurus
  • Muskrats are like small beavers, but they build their homes, called "push-ups," from plants in wetlands. They are excellent swimmers and divers. Muskrats mostly eat aquatic plants.
• Meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus terranovae
  • The meadow vole is a small rodent that lives in grassy areas. It builds tunnels and runways through the grass. Voles are an important food source for many predators, like foxes and owls.

Carnivores

These mammals are known for eating meat, though some also eat plants.

• Ermine, Mustela erminea
  • Ermines are small, quick predators. They are part of the weasel family. In winter, their fur turns pure white, except for a black tip on their tail. This helps them hunt in the snow. They mostly eat small rodents.
• Red fox, Vulpes vulpes deletrix
  • The red fox is a clever and adaptable animal. It's known for its reddish-brown fur, but you can also find "silver" and "cross" variants in Newfoundland. Foxes are great hunters and eat small animals, birds, and even berries.
• Newfoundland lynx, Lynx canadensis subsolanus
  • The Newfoundland lynx is a special subspecies of the Canadian lynx. It has large paws that act like snowshoes, helping it walk on deep snow. Lynx are expert hunters, especially of snowshoe hares.
• Newfoundland pine marten, Martes americana atrata
  • The Newfoundland pine marten is a rare and unique subspecies. It's a small, agile predator that lives in forests. Martens are very good at climbing trees and hunt small mammals and birds. Efforts are being made to protect this special animal.
• Northern river otter, Lontra canadensis degener
  • River otters are playful and graceful swimmers. They have sleek bodies and webbed feet, perfect for life in and around water. They love to eat fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures.

Hoofed Mammals

• Migratory woodland caribou, Rangifer tarandus caribou
  • Newfoundland is home to the largest population of migratory woodland caribou in eastern North America. These majestic animals travel long distances between their summer and winter feeding grounds. Both male and female caribou grow antlers.

Extinct Mammals

Sadly, some animals that once lived in Newfoundland are no longer found there.

• Newfoundland wolf, Canis lupus beothucus
  • The Newfoundland wolf was a unique subspecies of wolf that once roamed the island. It was a large predator, but it became extinct in the early 20th century.

Naturally Arriving Mammals

These mammals have started to arrive in Newfoundland on their own, expanding their natural territory.

• Labrador wolf, Canis lupus labradorius
  • The Labrador wolf has been seen in Newfoundland, likely crossing from mainland Labrador. However, there isn't a confirmed breeding population on the island yet.
• Coyote, Canis latrans
  • Coyotes began arriving in Newfoundland in the late 20th century. They are very adaptable animals and can live in many different habitats. They are known for their distinctive howls.
• Polar bear, Ursus maritimus
  • Polar bears are usually found much further north, but sometimes they drift south on ice floes. They are occasionally seen on the coast of Newfoundland in late winter or early spring. These powerful bears are excellent swimmers and hunters of seals.

Introduced Mammals

These mammals were brought to Newfoundland by people, either on purpose or by accident, after Europeans began exploring and settling the island.

• Eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus
  • Eastern chipmunks are small, striped rodents. They were introduced in 1962. They are often seen scurrying around, collecting seeds and nuts in their cheek pouches.
• Snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus
  • Snowshoe hares were introduced around 1860. They are named for their large hind feet, which help them move easily over snow. Like the Arctic hare, their fur often changes color with the seasons.
• American mink, Mustela vison
  • American mink were introduced in 1934 for fur farming. Some escaped and established wild populations. Minks are semi-aquatic predators, good at hunting fish, frogs, and small mammals near water.
• Moose, Alces alces
  • Moose are the largest members of the deer family. They were introduced to Newfoundland in 1878 and again in 1904. They have thrived on the island and are now a very common sight, especially in forested areas. Male moose have huge antlers.
• Eastern deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus
• House mouse, Mus musculus
  • House mice are small rodents that often live near humans. They are very adaptable and can be found almost anywhere.
• Brown rat, Rattus norvegicus
  • Brown rats are common rodents found worldwide. They are very intelligent and can live in many different environments, often near human settlements.
• Masked shrew, Sorex cinereus
• American red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
  • American red squirrels were introduced in 1963. These energetic squirrels are known for their chattering calls and for collecting and burying cones from trees.
• Bank vole, Myodes glareolus
  • Bank voles were introduced in 1967. They are small rodents that live in forests and shrublands.
• Southern red-backed vole, Myodes gapperi