Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus)
Discover the most abundant wild mammal in this area that is seldom seen outdoors due to its small size and nocturnal nature.
HOW TO TRACK A GHOST CAT
Mountain Screamer or the Red Tiger – two of the eighty plus moniker associated with cougars, who, prior to European settlers was the most widely distributed wild mammal on the continent of North America.
DEAR DEER MICE
Discover the most abundant wild mammal in this area that is seldom seen outdoors due to its small size and nocturnal nature.
FLIGHT OF FANCIES FREQUENT FOOTHILLS
Native American stories tell of the Goldfinch acting out of kindness and usually being rewarded by being gifted with the colour of the sun, and then being so overcome with joy they start to sing their sweet little melody of “per- chick-o-ree”.
BALD EAGLES- A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Bald eagles can eat over 400 species, their keen eyesight (eight times that of a human) means they can spot prey from 3 km up in the air and dive at speeds between 120-160 km/ hour to catch it, faster than most cars on the road.
ANTI FREEZE HOW ONE ANIMAL NEIGHBOUR BEATS THE COLD
When the temperatures drop below zero these ants start producing something in their ant blood called glycerol, a natural antifreeze stoping ice from forming inside of the ant’s body.
SQUIRRELS SOAR TO SUCCESS
The flying squirrel missed the memo that, as a terrestrial creature, it was bound to this earth.
DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF SPRUCE
The mighty spruce tree – critical shelter to wildlife in winter and one of the top ten medicinal plants of Canada.
A LONG ‘TAIL’ OF WINTERIZED WEASELS
The long-tailed weasel is one of the most ferocious predators in the foothills area. True carnivores, they will consume only fresh meat or the carrion of their prey that they have stored away for later. (Photo credits Jackie Sills)
WINGED WONDERS – BATS
We have nine species of bats in Alberta, and every single one of them is an insectivore. This means that they eat insects, which is a huge plus if you are a farmer who does not like pest insects or if you are one of the many people who loathe our humble mosquitos.