La Mauricie National Park of Canada
Typical and Varied Wildlife
Red fox
© Parks Canada/Jacques Pleau
Characterized by aquatic environments and an abundant and diversified forest, the park offers a suitable habitat to a multitude of animal species typical of the Eastern Canadian forests.
The animal community includes some 50 species of mammals, both large and small. Among these, you will find two ungulata, including the moose, 13 carnivora, such as the black bear and the red fox; 16 rodents, including the beaver and the red squirrel; the only existing lagomorpha, the snowshoe hare; 8 chiroptera, such as the small brown bat; and 10 insectivora, such as the masked shrew. These species are the most commonly found.
The extensive aquatic habitat is one of the reasons for the wide range of mammals. Certain species, like the beaver, the mink and the otter, are characteristic inhabitants. Other mustelinae species, like the long-tail weasel, the marten and the fisher, bring variety to the typical wildlife of the park and to the complex food chain. There are other less noticeable or less abundant species, such as the coyote, the wolf, the lynx, the racoon, the porcupine and the groundhog, along with a variety of mice, bats and voles, all of which are of some significance when it comes to maintaining nature's balance.
There are 19 species of reptiles and amphibians in the park, despite its northern latitude. This is due to the extensive drainage system and the variety of habitats available. The amphibians include the timid salamander (6 species) along with eight species of frogs. The wood turtle and the painted turtle are rare visitors to the park. The wood turtle, designated as an threatened species in Canada, is confined in two distinct areas of the park. The painted turtle is observed on the shores of lac à la Pêche and Anticagamac Lake. The garter snake is the most common of the three species found in the park.