Author: Linley Sherin
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150/150: Home is where the heart is for the Barred Owl
Animalia: Chordata: Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae: Strix: Strix varia Barton, 1799 The Barred Owl is a member of the family Strigidae, the true owls, which it shares with almost all other extant owl species. It is also called the Hoot Owl due to its characteristic mating call. Like most owls, Barred Owls are silent when hunting…
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117/150: Just out of sight-The commonly overlooked Western Redback Salamander
Animalia: Chordata: Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae: Plethodontinae: Plethodon: Plethodon vehiculum (Cooper, 1860) The western redback salamander is a relatively small salamander, measuring about 4 to 10 centimeters in length, and is commonly identified by distinctive stripe down their back. Though their name indicates this stripe as red, it can also be yellow, olive, and tan. In…
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115/150: The Giant Puffball is right out of a fairytale!
Fungi: Basidiomycota: Agaricomycetes: Agaricales: Agaricaceae: Calvatia: Calvatia gigantea (Batsch) Lloyd 1904 The Giant Puffball appears in the folklore of many cultures due to its large whimsical appearance. On average these mushrooms are 10-70 cm in diameter, but get as big as 150 cm! The Giant Puffball is one of many mushrooms found to develop ‘fairy…
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110/150: Ant-mimicking spiders; One of these things is not like the other!
Animalia: Arthropoda: Arachnida: Araneae: Salticidae: Myrmarachne: Myrmarachne formicaria (De Geer, 1778) Members of the genus Myrmarachne are commonly referred to as the Ant-mimic spiders and represent some of the best examples of Batesian mimicry in the world. Their cephalothorax is elongated, with a tapered waist that imitates the silhouette of an ant and they will…
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82/150: A ravenous bride; the female Praying Mantis is one of nature’s most ruthless predators!
Animalia: Arthropoda: Insecta: Mantodea: Mantidae: Mantinae: Mantis: Mantis religiosa (Linnaeus, 1758) The Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa) is an insect species of the Order Mantodea which was accidentally introduced to Canada in 1899 from Europe. A common, and intimidating, fact about the Praying Mantis proves how insatiable the female is when pregnant, leading her to partake…
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76/150: Find out why the Grey Jay is Canada’s new National Bird!
Animalia: Chordata: Aves: Passeriformes: Corvidae: Perisoreus: Perisoreus canadensis (Linnaeus, 1766) The Grey Jay (P. canadensis) is a songbird from the Family Corvidae, also sometimes called the Canada Jay or Whiskey Jack, derived from the Indigenous name Wisakedjak. The Grey Jay is considered one of the smartest birds in the world along with other Corvids who…
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70/150: When you think of Ginseng do you think of Canada? You will after reading this!
Plantae: Magnoliophyta: Magnoliopsida: Apiales: Araliaceae: Panax quinquefolius (Linneaus) Ginseng is a perennial herb whose root is highly prized and commonly refers to one of two varieties, American Ginseng (P. quinquefolius) or Asian Ginseng (P. ginseng). Both contain ginsenosides, which are the compounds thought to give ginseng its medicinal properties.
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68/150: Did you know scorpions live in Canada too?
animalia: Arthropoda: Arachnida: Scorpiones: Vaejovidae: Paruroctonus: Paruroctonus boreus (Girard, 1854) Paruroctonus boreus, or the Northern Scorpion, is native to British Columbia and Alberta and is the only species of scorpion found in Canada. Though a relatively common species, it is rarely seen due to its nocturnal nature. However, like all scorpions, P. boreus glows under…