List of mammals of Newfoundland
Encyclopedia
This is a list of mammal species recorded in the wild in Newfoundland, the island portion of the Canadian
province of Newfoundland and Labrador
. Only 14 known species (and one extinct species) are or were native to the island; this list is divided into native species and species introduced to the island since discovery by Europeans and colonization in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Several species native to Newfoundland are genetically distinct subspecies of more common species found elsewhere in Canada and North America.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. Only 14 known species (and one extinct species) are or were native to the island; this list is divided into native species and species introduced to the island since discovery by Europeans and colonization in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Several species native to Newfoundland are genetically distinct subspecies of more common species found elsewhere in Canada and North America.
Native species
- Northern Long-Eared BatNorthern long-eared myotisThe Northern long-eared myotis is a small bat, typically 5-10 g and 84 mm in total length . The fur is dull brown on the dorsum and yellowish on the venter...
, Myotis septentrionalis - Hoary BatHoary batThe hoary bat is a species of bat in the vesper bat family, Vespertilionidae. It occurs throughout most of North America and much of South America, with disjunct populations in the Galapagos and Hawaiian Islands...
, Lasiurus cinereus - Little Brown BatLittle brown batThe little brown bat is a species of the genus Myotis , one of the most common bats of North America...
, Myotis lucifugus - Newfoundland Black BearAmerican black bearThe American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, Ursus americanus hamiltoni - Newfoundland BeaverAmerican BeaverThe North American Beaver is the only species of beaver in the Americas, native to North America and introduced to South America. In the United States and Canada, where no other species of beaver occurs, it is usually simply referred to as "beaver"...
, Castor canadensis caecator - Migratory Woodland CaribouMigratory Woodland CaribouThe migratory woodland caribou , also known as the forest caribou or woodland caribou , is a subspecies of the caribou...
, Rangifer tarandus caribou - ErmineErmineErmine has several uses:* A common name for the stoat * The white fur and black tail end of this animal, which is historically worn by and associated with royalty and high officials...
, Mustela erminea - Red FoxRed FoxThe red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
, Vulpes vulpes deletrix, Silver and Cross variants - Arctic HareArctic HareThe arctic hare , or polar rabbit is a species of hare which is adapted largely to polar and mountainous habitats. The arctic hare survives with a thick coat of fur and usually digs holes under the ground or snow to keep warm and sleep...
, Lepus arcticus bangsii - Newfoundland Lynx, Lynx canadensis subsolanus
- Newfoundland Pine MartenNewfoundland Pine MartenThe Newfoundland Pine Marten is a genetically distinct subspecies of the American Marten found only on the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; it is sometimes referred to as the American Marten and is one of only 14 species native to the island...
, Martes americana atrata - MuskratMuskratThe muskrat , the only species in genus Ondatra, is a medium-sized semi-aquatic rodent native to North America, and introduced in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands and is a very successful animal over a wide range of climates and habitats...
, Ondatra zibethicus obscurus - Northern River OtterNorthern River OtterThe North American river otter , also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent, found in and along its waterways and coasts. An adult river otter can weigh between 5 and 14 kg...
, Lontra canadensis degener - Meadow VoleMeadow VoleThe Meadow Vole , sometimes called the Field Mouse or Meadow Mouse, is a North American vole found across Canada, Alaska and the northern United States. Its range extends further south along the Atlantic coast. One subspecies, the Florida Salt Marsh Vole , is found in Florida, and is classified as...
, Microtus pennsylvanicus terranovae
Introduced species
- Eastern ChipmunkEastern ChipmunkThe eastern chipmunk is a small squirrel-like rodent found in eastern North America, the sole living member of the chipmunk genus and subgenus Tamias....
, Tamias striatus, introduced 1962 - CoyoteCoyoteThe coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
, Canis latrans, natural range expansion in late 20th century - Snowshoe HareSnowshoe HareThe Snowshoe Hare , also called the Varying Hare, or Snowshoe Rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet and the marks its tail leaves. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks...
, Lepus americanus, introduced around 1860 - American MinkAmerican MinkThe American mink is a semi-aquatic species of Mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe and South America. Because of this, it is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Since the extinction of the sea mink, the American mink is the...
, Mustela vison, introduced for fur-farming 1934 - MooseMooseThe moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, Alces alces, introduced 1878 and 1904 - Deer Mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus
- House MouseHouse mouseThe house mouse is a small rodent, a mouse, one of the most numerous species of the genus Mus.As a wild animal the house mouse mainly lives associated with humans, causing damage to crops and stored food....
, Mus musculus - Norway RatBrown RatThe brown rat, common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, Brown Norway rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat is one of the best known and most common rats....
, Rattus norvegicus - Masked Shrew, Sorex cinereus
- American Red SquirrelAmerican Red SquirrelThe American Red Squirrel is one of three species of tree squirrel currently classified in the genus Tamiasciurus and known as pine squirrels...
, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, introduced 1963 - Bank VoleBank VoleThe bank vole is a small vole with red-brown fur and some grey patches, with a tail about half as long as its body. A rodent, it lives in woodland areas and is around in length. The bank vole is found in western Europe and northern Asia...
, Myodes glareolus and/or Red-backed voleRed-backed voleThe red-backed voles are the members of the genus Myodes, a group of small slender voles found in North America, Europe and Asia. The genus name comes from the Greek "keyhole mouse". In the past, the genus has been called Evotomys or Clethrionomys, but Myodes takes precedence.They inhabit northern...