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List of mammals of Saskatchewan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Saskatchewan, a province in Canada, is home to many different kinds of wild mammals. This article lists the mammals that naturally live here or are sometimes seen in the province.

Saskatchewan has a varied climate and different natural areas, called biomes. In the south, you'll find wide-open prairies and grasslands. The middle part has aspen parkland, which is a mix of trees and open areas. Up north, there's thick boreal forest. Plus, there are unique spots like the Great Sand Hills and the Cypress Hills. All these different places make Saskatchewan a perfect home for many mammal species.

Because Saskatchewan is in the middle of the Prairie Provinces, it's a meeting point for animals from both the east and west. It's also close to Montana and North Dakota in the United States. This means some animals mostly found in the U.S. also live here. There are about 72 types of wild mammals in Saskatchewan today. That's out of about 4,400 known mammal species worldwide!

Saskatchewan has an official mammal: the white-tailed deer. The province also has laws to protect many species. You'll see some letters next to the animal names in this list:

  • (T) means the species is threatened. This means it might become endangered soon.
  • (E) means the species is endangered. This means it's in danger of disappearing forever.
  • (X) means the species is extirpated. This means it no longer lives in Saskatchewan, but it still exists elsewhere in the world.
  • (I) means the species was introduced. This means people brought it to Saskatchewan, and it now lives here permanently.

Bats (Chiroptera)

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly! They use their wings, which are actually modified hands, to soar through the air. Most bats are active at night and use echolocation (like sonar) to find their way and catch insects.

Carnivores (Carnivora)

Carnivores are animals that mostly eat meat. They have special teeth and claws to help them hunt and tear food. This group includes many well-known predators.

Canines (Canidae)

Canines are part of the dog family. They are known for their strong sense of smell and often hunt in packs.

Bears (Ursidae)

Bears are large, powerful mammals. While they are carnivores, many bears also eat plants, berries, and insects. They are known for their strength and often hibernate in winter.

Raccoons (Procyonidae)

Raccoons are clever and adaptable animals. They are known for their masked faces and bushy tails. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.

Mustelids (Mustelidae)

Mustelids are a diverse family of carnivores. They often have long, slender bodies and are known for being fierce hunters. This group includes weasels, otters, and badgers.

Skunks (Mustelidae)

Skunks are famous for their strong-smelling spray, which they use to defend themselves. They are usually black and white and are omnivores.

Felines (Felidae)

Felines are part of the cat family. They are skilled hunters with sharp claws and excellent night vision.

Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)

Even-toed ungulates are hoofed mammals. They have an even number of toes on each foot. Most of them are herbivores, meaning they eat plants.

Deer (Cervidae)

Deer are known for their antlers, which males usually grow and shed each year. They are graceful animals found in many habitats.

Pronghorn (Antilocapridae)

The pronghorn is often called an "antelope," but it's actually unique to North America. It's the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere.

Sheep and bison (Bovidae)

This family includes large, hoofed animals like bison. They are typically grazers, eating grasses and other plants.

  • Bison (Bison bison) (T)

Rodents (Rodentia)

Rodents are the largest group of mammals. They are known for their continuously growing front teeth, which they use for gnawing.

Beavers (Castoridae)

Beavers are large rodents famous for building dams and lodges in water. They are excellent swimmers and play a big role in shaping their wetland habitats.

Mice (Cricetidae)

Mice are small, agile rodents. They are found in many different environments and are an important food source for many predators.

  • Eastern deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
  • Western deermouse (Peromyscus sonoriensis)

Muskrats (Ondatra)

Muskrats are medium-sized rodents that live in wetlands. They are semi-aquatic, meaning they spend time both in water and on land.

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List of mammals of Saskatchewan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.