Russian Flying Squirrel – Pteromys Volans

Distinguishing Features – Soft, silky pelage. Overall colouration, pale olive-brown; lighter buff-coloured underparts; tail flattened ventrally and densely haired; eyes large and luminous; skin membrane extends along flanks between wrists and ankles. Habitat Inhabits boreal coniferous forests of Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia and as far east as Northern Mongolia, Central and North-eastern China. Prefers dense forests. … Read more

Pine Marten – Martes Americana

Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, lustrous fur, varying from pale buff to dark brown; underparts paler brown. Ears, pale with whitish edges. Body, long; feet, dark brown; claws, semi-retractable. Size Male: .54 – 63 m (1.8 – 2.1 ft) Female: .48 – .6 m (1.6 – 2 ft) Habitat Throughout Northwestern Ontario, preferring mature coniferous … Read more

Siberian Chipmunk – Tamias Sibiricus

Distinguishing Features – The Siberian chipmunk’s body length is 12 – 17cm, two-thirds of its total length. Like other chipmunks, it has brightly colored fur, dark stripes, and large cheek pouches. Its ears are small and slightly rounded at the tips. The fur on the back is brown-gray to ocher yellow, depending on the origin … Read more

Great Bustard – Otis Tarda

Distinguishing Features – The Great Bustard is one of the largest birds capable of flight. Weight: males up to 17 kg, females up to 8 kg; length: male may be 1.2 m long with a 2.4 m wingspan. Habitat The Great Bustard is a vulnerable species. It is distributed throughout many countries in Europe, Russia … Read more

Eurasian Red Squirrel

Distinguishing Features – Sciurus vulgaris is considered to be one of the most physically variable mammals of the palearctic region, at least in physical appearance. The coat color of these squirrels varies from light-red to black on their heads and backs, and all, except those that have black coats, have white fur on their stomachs. … Read more

Norway Lemming – Lemmus Lemmus

Distinguishing Features – Length: 13 – 15 cm; Tail: 2 cm; stout bodies, thick fluffy fur, small ears, very short tails, and long claws. Habitat Tundra, grassy land of northern Scandinavia and western Russia. Diet Diet consists mainly of grass, little shrubs and above all, moss; also avaiable insects in summer. Notes The noticable marked … Read more

Northern River Otter

Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, dark brown, oily fur; throat silvery colour. Long muscular body; flattened head; short legs; webbed feet; long powerful tail. Size Male: .93 – 1.35 m (3.1 – 4.5 ft) Female: .87 – 1.14 m (2.9 – 3.8 ft) Habitat Throughout Northwestern Ontario, primarily in wooded shoreline areas of lakes, ponds, … Read more

Fisher – Martes Pennanti

Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, thick, lustrous fur, varying from dark brown to black; random whitish to cream coloured patches on chest. In winter, colouration tends to be darker. Legs, short; claws, semi-retractable. Fisher Size Male: .84 – 1.05 m (2.8 – 3.5 ft) Female: .75 – .93 m (2.5 – 3.1 ft) Habitat Throughout … Read more

Mink – Mustela vison

Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, thick, soft lustrous coat varies from dark brown to black; oily guard hairs give fur glossy appearance. Underside, paler. White patch on lower lip. Body, long; legs, compact; feet, partially webbed. Mink Size Male: 49 – 62 cm (19.3 – 24.4 in) Female: 42 – 59.7 cm (16.5 – 23.5 … Read more

Arctic Lemming – Dicrostonyx Torquatus

Distinguishing Features – Length: 110 – 177 mm; Tail: 10 – 20 mm; Weight: 30 – 112 g. Soles of feet densely furred, ears entirely concealed in fur. In summer, upper body grayish- buff to dark-gray with buffy and reddish-brown aspects. In winter, white pelage and enlarged bifid claw on digit three and four of … Read more