By Julia Gaume The swift fox (Vulpes velox) is a house-cat sized canid who wanders the open prairies in Alberta and Saskatchewan (and possibly Manitoba), hiding in dens and sun-bathing in the winter. Prior to the 1930s, when vast land was available for animal residence, the swift fox roamed in excess across North America1. Although this species is currently established in Canada, it was once declared extinct in Canada due to various pressures they faced.2 The swift fox is a unique and cunning species, who has proven their resiliency when faced with adversity. Habitat Currently in Canada, the ..read more

By Carley Goodreau Busy as a beaver! These famously industrious creatures can be found building dams in ponds and on the Canadian nickel. Beavers cut trees with their teeth, spend time both in and out of the water, and build dams to create ponds they can live in. Beavers are the second largest rodent in the world, and weigh in at 16 to 29 kilograms (35 to 65 pounds).1 Easily recognizable by their long, orange, front teeth and flat, broad tail,2 “nature’s engineer”3 lead fascinating social lives. Beaver patient in care at AIWC (2022). Colonies, Lodges, and Family Structure Beaver families tha ..read more

by Sydney Nelson Do you remember learning about the lifecycle of a frog during your earliest science lessons or library visits? You can probably recall a circular diagram showing translucent eggs developing into fish-like aquatic creatures. The creatures were tadpoles that grew legs and gradually became fully formed frogs. Maybe you remember the frog in the diagram showing off its long, hopping legs or sticking its tongue out to catch a fly. The metamorphosis of frogs, toads and salamanders has charmed us for generations. As we look forward to spring, we can also look forward to amphibians ..read more

by Chelsea Blyth Within Alberta’s landscapes, residents have an opportunity to cultivate thriving ecosystems right in their own backyard. By making conscious choices in garden design and plant selection, individuals can transform their outdoor spaces into havens for local wildlife. In this article, we’ll explore several strategies tailored to Alberta’s unique environment, aimed at making your garden a welcoming sanctuary for birds, bees, butterflies, and other precious wildlife. Native Plants One of the most effective ways to attract wildlife to your garden is by incorporating native plant ..read more

by Courtney Collins Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) can be found across Canada during the summer breeding season. Ospreys are migratory and can travel over 250,000 km throughout their relatively long lifespans. These beautiful dark brown and white raptors are unique for their fishing habits – a necessary ability to maintain their diet of, nearly exclusively, live fish.1 While these birds-of-prey have healthy population numbers today, it wasn’t so long ago that the story was drastically different. From the 1950’s through 1970’s, osprey populations plummeted to severely low numbers, with some loca ..read more

by Holly Hastings In the mystical realm of night, where shadows dance and humans sleep, there exists an animal with eyes that pierce through the darkest abysses. Imagine a world where sight is an art form and vision is a symphony of precision. Let us go on an enchanting journey to understand the nocturnal magic in owls’ eyes.  An owl’s diet consists mainly of mice, voles, and other rodents, often active at night.1 Therefore, most owls are nocturnal, and night is where the hunt begins.2Not only are owls’ eyes specialized for darkness, but they also have other evolutionary characteristic ..read more

by Marissa Hansen Alberta is home to a diverse array of wildlife. Among the many avian residents of this province, swallows stand out as fascinating and important species. These various bird species inhabit different environments across the province and have unique nesting habits. With factors such as climate change and habitat loss, many swallow species have seen a decline in population. It is important to understand swallows and their differences when creating conservation strategies. Swallow Species of Alberta: Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Wild tree swallow. Photo by Vicki Hale. T ..read more

by Chelsea Blyth Alberta is home to some of North America’s most magnificent wildlife, including the iconic black bear and grizzly bear. These impressive creatures play a vital role in the province’s ecosystems, but their populations face several challenges due to habitat loss and human interaction. To ensure the well-being of both humans and bears, it is crucial to raise awareness about these animals and promote ethical practices for coexistence. Wild grizzly bear in Jasper, Alberta. CC BY-SA 4.0 by Dwayne Reilander While these bears are awe-inspiring creatures, human interactions with ..read more

by Katie Grant Muskrats, often mistaken for their larger counterparts, beavers, are fascinating semi-aquatic rodents that play a crucial role in North America’s wetland ecosystems. We will explore their unique characteristics, behaviours, and ecological significance while shedding light on their evolutionary history, reproductive processes, and the challenges they face in the modern world. Resembling large rats, muskrats boast a round physique with short legs and nearly invisible ears. They weigh 0.7–1.8 kilograms, and measure 40–63 centimeters in length, with an additional 18–28 centimetre ..read more

by Carley Goodreau A sure sign that winter is coming are flocks of birds migrating south to escape the cold. Each year we say goodbye to our feathery friends seeking greener pastures to ride out the chillier months. But not all birds migrate. In fact, many species choose to stay right here in Alberta throughout the winter. Should I stay or should I go? What a bird eats plays a large part in whether or not it will migrate. Birds that survive mainly on flying insects and nectar tend to migrate south to find more abundant sources of these foods.1 Seed eaters and birds that can forage for i ..read more