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Calgary's critters: A hinterland who's who on wildlife in the city

Each week in May, we'll take a look at some of the wildlife of all shapes and sizes that share our city. This week, we check out mammals.

Have your own wildlife pictures? We want to see them

CBC News ·
Calgary has a variety of wildlife that tend to blend into the city's landscape. Here we take a closer look at which animals call Calgary home.
Calgary has a variety of wildlife that tend to blend into the city's landscape. Here we take a closer look at which animals call Calgary home. (Submitted by Mike Bellavance)

Calgary has wildlife of all shapes and sizes that share our city.

Here's a look at some of our mammals — a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin.

  • Have a photo of a mammal in Calgary that you can't see below? Send your pictures to [email protected].

Bobcat

Bobcats have been known to prowl through parts of Calgary on occasion. Some even take temporary residency in a few southwest homes near the Weaselhead natural area in southwest Calgary, which is where this spotted fellow was captured roaming.

Bobcats have been known to prowl through parts of Calgary on occasion. Some even taking temporary residency in a few southwest homes near the Weaselhead, which is where this spotted fellow was captured roaming. (Submitted by Diane Stinson)
Bobcats have been known to prowl through parts of Calgary on occasion. Some even taking temporary residency in a few southwest homes near the Weaselhead, which is where this spotted fellow was captured roaming. (Submitted by Diane Stinson)

Coyote

This coyote looks out over the Weaselhead natural area. Coyotes have often been known to frequent urban areas, so much so that the City of Calgary offers these helpful tips if you happen to see one in your yard.

This coyote looks out over the Weaselhead natural area in southwest Calgary. Coyotes have often been known to habitat urban areas.
This coyote looks out over the Weaselhead natural area in southwest Calgary. Coyotes have often been known to habitat urban areas. (Submitted by Daniel Arndt)

Moose

Moose have been seen across all of Calgary's quadrants, and sometimes have to be relocated by animal control because of the dangers they pose. This mighty moose, standing in the Weaselhead, decided to stay off the streets. 

Moose have been seen across all of Calgary's quadrants, and sometimes have to be relocated by animal control because of the dangers they pose. This mighty moose, standing in the Weaselhead in the city's southwest, decided to stay off the streets.
Moose have been seen across all of Calgary's quadrants, and sometimes have to be relocated by animal control because of the dangers they pose. This mighty moose, standing in the Weaselhead in the city's southwest, decided to stay off the streets. (Anne Elliott/Flickr)

Deer

Deer are no strangers to Calgary's rolling landscape, like this one in the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. The city says fawns tend to pop up in June. If the fawn is not moving, do not touch it, as standing still for up to several hours is the fawn's natural defence mechanism. 

 

Deer are no strangers to Calgary's rolling landscape, and the city says fawns tend to pop up in June. If the fawn is not moving, do not touch it, as standing still for up to several hours is the fawn's natural defence mechanism.
Deer are no strangers to Calgary's rolling landscape, and the city says fawns tend to pop up in June. If the fawn is not moving, do not touch it, as standing still for up to several hours is the fawn's natural defence mechanism. (Submitted by Mike Kelly)

Bat

Calgary is home to many types of bats, like this silver-haired bat found in August 2010 in Forest Heights hiding between a gate and fence post. Herman Bininda's son, a biologist who worked with bats, said that it was the first time that he heard of it in the Calgary area. The city says bats are great for helping to control the city's mosquito populations.

A silver-haired bat found in August 2010 in Forest Heights hiding between a gate and fence post. Herman Bininda's son, a biologist who worked with bats, said that it was the first time that he heard of it in the Calgary area.
A silver-haired bat found in August 2010 in Forest Heights hiding between a gate and fence post. Herman Bininda's son, a biologist who worked with bats, said that it was the first time that he heard of it in the Calgary area. (Submitted by Herman Bininda)

Rabbit

Cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, white-tailed jackrabbits (a type of hare) and a variety of domestic rabbit breeds all call our province home. Alberta Parks says wild rabbits are grey to brown all year, while hares are grey to brown in summer and white in winter. Domestic rabbits living in the wild come in a variety of colours and sizes, and are not protected by any of Alberta's wildlife laws. 

Alberta has mountain cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, white-tailed jackrabbits (a type of hare) and a variety of domestic rabbit breeds. Wild rabbits are grey to brown all year and hares are grey to brown in summer and white in winter. Domestic rabbits can be differentiated from wild rabbits by the variety of colours and sizes and are not protected by any of Alberta’s wildlife laws.
Alberta has mountain cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, white-tailed jackrabbits (a type of hare) and a variety of domestic rabbit breeds. Wild rabbits are grey to brown all year and hares are grey to brown in summer and white in winter. Domestic rabbits can be differentiated from wild rabbits by the variety of colours and sizes and are not protected by any of Alberta’s wildlife laws. (Submitted by George Lane)

Mink

The American mink, like this one in Fish Creek Provincial Park, is a semi-aquatic weasel and is seldom seen far from watercourses.

 

The American mink, like this one in Fish Creek Provincial Park, is a semi-aquatic weasel and is seldom seen far from watercourses.
The American mink, like this one in Fish Creek Provincial Park, is a semi-aquatic weasel and is seldom seen far from watercourses. (Submitted by Daniel Arndt)

Weasel

With a slender body and head, these mighty little carnivores can burrow into the dens of smaller creatures for a not so friendly visit and come in all shapes and sizes in Calgary. 

With a slender body and head, these mighty little rodents can burrow into the dens of smaller creatures for a not so friendly visit and come in all shapes and sizes in Calgary.
With a slender body and head, these mighty little rodents can burrow into the dens of smaller creatures for a not so friendly visit and come in all shapes and sizes in Calgary. (Submitted by Daniel Arndt)

Long-tailed weasel

The signature black tip gives away this long-tailed weasel, sporting a summer coat, in Fish Creek Park. 

The signature black tip gives away this long-tailed weasel, sporting a summer coat, in Fish Creek Park.
The signature black tip gives away this long-tailed weasel, sporting a summer coat, in Fish Creek Park. (Phil Smith/Flickr)

Ermine weasel

The ermine weasel can be identified by its snowy coat, and has been known to slip into a basement or two in Calgary in the past.

The ermine weasel can be identified by its snowy coat, and has been known to slip into a basement or two in Calgary in the past.
The ermine weasel can be identified by its snowy coat, and has been known to slip into a basement or two in Calgary in the past. (Submitted by Tim Hopwood)

Bear

A black bear hangs out in a spruce tree in the southwest Calgary community of Bayview in 2014. Bears are removed from the city with the help of fish and wildlife officers if they happen to get stuck in urban areas. 

This black bear was spotted hanging out in a spruce tree in the southwest Calgary community of Bayview.
This black bear was spotted hanging out in a spruce tree in the southwest Calgary community of Bayview. (CBC)

Raccoon

These raccoons were captured sneaking around at night time at a home in Woodlands. 

These raccoons were captured sneaking around at night time at a home in Woodlands.
These raccoons were captured sneaking around at night time at a home in Woodlands. (Submitted by Lori Mainland)

Skunk

While he's no Pepé Le Pew, this little skunk was definitely looking for something while exploring Calgary. 

While he's no Pepé Le Pew, this little skunk was looking for something while exploring Calgary.
While he's no Pepé Le Pew, this little skunk was looking for something while exploring Calgary. (Submitted by Grant Warkentin)

Cougar

While we don't have any pictures of the stealthy cat in Calgary, they have been known to visit the city from time to time. Let us know if you have a good image at [email protected]. We are also looking for images of foxes and badgers.

Stay tuned as we bring you more wildlife pictures throughout May as spring continues to ramp up. Have a picture you're particularly proud of from Fish Creek Park, then you can enter it into the Friends of Fish Creek Photography contest starting in July. 

 

 

 

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