You’ve heard of the Big Five – that term used widely across Africa to refer to five of the most magnificent animals you’ll see on safari – the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.
Inspired by this, wildlife lovers and conservation experts came up with some more ‘Fives’ as a way to attract attention to other, less celebrated, but no less interesting animals.
They include:
- The small five (antlion, leopard tortoise, elephant shrew, rhino beetle and buffalo weaver bird)
- The ugly five (wildebeest, hyena, marabou stork, warthog and vulture)
- The photography big five – the top animals for wildlife photographers to capture (elephant, polar bear, gorilla, lion and tiger).
And now some bright spark in Canada has coined a new one – the Canadian Big Five – to draw attention to some of the most impressive and iconic animals in Canada.
But what are Canada’s Big Five and why did they pick those particular animals?
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What are the Big Five Canadian animals?
The term ‘The Big Five’ was coined by big game hunters in Africa, referring to the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffalo.
Since then, it’s evolved beyond hunting and now refers to some of the most sought-after animals for safari-goers and wildlife photographers to see, due to their size, power and beauty.
Though in practice it’s also pretty redundant and used a lot less now, since we are all aware that there are many more amazing animals to see in Africa, not just these five.
Regardless, the Canadian Big Five encapsulates a similar idea, highlighting five of the most impressive animals that roam Canada’s wild land- and seascapes: polar bear, moose, bison, black bear, and beluga whale.
Canada is home to some of the planet’s most impressive animals, and the term helps promote sustainable wildlife tourism and conservation efforts by spotlighting these species.
It also encourages visitors and wildlife enthusiasts to explore Canada’s diverse ecosystems and see these animals in their natural habitats.
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Seeing animals in Canada
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Canada five times and have had several opportunities to see its amazing wildlife.
In Jasper National Park I did a wildlife tour where we spotted elk, black bears and bighorn sheep among others, but no moose, unfortunately.
I also directed a documentary about whale evolution, for which we filmed in Ottawa at the Canadian Museum of Nature, but sadly all the whales they have there are very long dead! I have been whale watching off Vancouver Island though, and also in the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka.
My best Canadian safari trip was the Canada’s Big Five safari with Frontiers North Adventures, during which I got to see all of the Canadian Big Five (and many other species as well). Most of the photos in this post were taken by me on that trip.
But what’s so interesting about these five animals anyway?
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Polar Bear
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are the largest land carnivores in the world, with males weighing up to 1,500 pounds. They’re perfectly adapted to their Arctic habitat, with thick fur and a layer of fat that insulates them against the cold.
The Latin name means ‘sea bear’, because polar bears are strong swimmers, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles between ice floes or hunting grounds.
Unfortunately, their dependence on sea ice makes them vulnerable to the effects of climate change, as rising temperatures are causing their habitat to shrink.
As a result, they’re classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with their populations facing declining numbers.
This precarious position has made them a poster child for conservation and an icon of climate change, making them an easy choice for a place in Canada’s Big Five animals.
These Canadian animals also hold cultural significance for Indigenous communities, who have coexisted with polar bears for centuries, often seeing them as symbols of strength and resilience.
Image Credit: Andre Erlich/Istockphoto.
My 10 favourite facts about polar bears
- Polar bears are classified as marine mammals (like whales and dolphins!) because they spend most of their time out at sea on the sea ice, and are strong swimmers.
- They can overheat despite living in the frozen Arctic. Their dense fur and thick layer of fat keep them so warm that they often have to cool down by swimming or resting in open air.
- A polar bear’s fur isn’t actually white, it’s transparent. The fur reflects light, giving them a white appearance to blend into their snowy surroundings.
- Underneath, their skin is black to absorb heat.
- They can smell seals from miles away. Polar bears have an extraordinary sense of smell and can detect seals nearly a mile (1.6 km) away or under several feet of compacted snow.
- Their paws are built for ice walking. Polar bears have large, rough-textured paws that help them grip the ice, and their feet can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) wide.
- Polar bears don’t hibernate like other bears. Only pregnant females hide in dens for months to give birth, while males and non-pregnant females remain active year-round.
- Polar bears can fast for months. During summer when the sea ice melts and hunting is difficult, they can live off their fat reserves for up to several months.
- They use body language to communicate. Polar bears communicate with each other through head movements, body posture, and growls, especially when competing for food.
- Polar bears don’t hunt penguins. That is, of course, because polar bears live in the Arctic and penguins live in the Antarctic!
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The best places to see polar bears
In Canada, you can see polar bears in:
- Churchill, Manitoba, often called the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’
- Nunavut’s Arctic islands, especially Baffin Island
- Wapusk National Park, also in Manitoba
In the rest of the world, you’ll find polar bears in other parts of the Arctic Circle, including Alaska (USA), Greenland, Norway (Svalbard), and Russia.
Image Credit: webguzs/Istockphoto.
Moose
The moose (Alces alces) is an icon of Canadian wildlife and one of the animals I most wanted to see on my Big Five wildlife trip.
These guys are massive and majestic – the largest member of the deer family. Males (called bulls) can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand over six feet tall at the shoulder.
Their huge, broad antlers, which can span up to six feet and weigh up to 60 pounds (27 kg), are shed and regrown every year during the mating season.
They’re solitary animals and can be aggressive, particularly during mating season or when protecting their young. Their size and power make them formidable creatures in the wild, with few natural predators aside from wolves and bears.
Despite the fact that I’ve had a lot of trouble spotting one, there are actually an estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 moose in Canada. Since they are not endangered, they are hunted as a game species in many countries.
There are said to be loads in Jasper National Park, but I failed to see one. We did eventually spot this pair in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.
Their sheer size and impressive antlers have earned them a place in the Canadian Big Five.
Image Credit: Walt Snover/Istockphoto.
My top facts about moose
- The plural of moose is moose. Not mooses, meese, or mice. Ok?
- Moose have long legs that can be over 3 feet (1 metre) long, helping them wade through deep snow and dense undergrowth.
- Male moose shed their antlers every year. They regrow them in the spring, and the new antlers are covered in a soft, fuzzy skin which sheds as the antlers harden.
- They are excellent swimmers. Moose can swim up to 6 miles per hour and often dive down to feed on underwater plants.
- They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell. Moose rely on their sense of smell and hearing to detect predators and find food.
- Moose can run up to 35 miles per hour. Despite their size, moose can move quickly when threatened and cover short distances at impressive speeds.
- They have a specialized nose. A moose’s large, fleshy nose helps warm the cold air before it enters their lungs, an adaptation to their cold environments.
- Calves grow incredibly fast. A newborn moose calf can gain nearly 2 pounds per day in its first few months of life, and can run within a few days of being born.
- They are known for their “moose calls”. During the mating season, both males and females vocalise, with bulls using deep grunts and females making wailing calls to attract mates.
- Moose collisions are sometimes a cause of fatal road and rail accidents. Be careful while driving in moose areas, especially at night!
Image Credit: kellyvandellen/Istockphoto.
Where are the best places to see moose?
In Canada, you can see moose in loads of places from British Columbia to Newfoundland, but some of the best places to spot one are:
- Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba (where I saw mine)
- Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
- Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
- Jasper and Banff National Parks, Alberta
Around the world, you can also find moose in northern parts of the USA, all over Scandinavia, and Russia.
Image Credit: Andrew March/Istockphoto.
American Bison
The American bison (Bison bison), sometimes referred to as a buffalo, is the largest land animal in North America, weighing up to 2,000 pounds, and one of the most impressive animals in Canada.
They once roamed the Great Plains in vast herds numbering in the millions. But with the arrival of white settlers in the 19th century they were driven almost to extinction through overhunting, habitat destruction, and deliberate slaughter as a way to control the Indigenous population.
At one point their numbers dropped to fewer than 1,000. Thanks to conservation efforts, bison populations have rebounded, though they still occupy only a fraction of their historical range.
Bison hold deep cultural significance for Indigenous peoples across North America, who depended on them for food, clothing, and tools. The near-extermination of bison had devastating impacts on these communities, and the species’ recovery is a symbol of both ecological and cultural resilience.
Bison are integral to prairie ecosystems, as their grazing patterns help shape the landscape and create habitats for other species.
Efforts continue to expand bison conservation programs to restore their role in ecosystems and Indigenous cultures across North America.
Bison are included in the Canadian Big Five due to their cultural and ecological importance, as well as their majestic presence.
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My favourite facts about bison
- Bison have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and smell. Their sense of smell is so strong that they can detect predators from miles away.
- Their humps serve a vital purpose. The hump on a bison’s back is composed of muscles that help it support its massive head while ploughing through snow during the winter.
- The females are in charge. Bison herds follow a matriarchal structure with older females leading the herd, while males generally live in smaller, separate bachelor groups.
- They can run up to 35 miles per hour despite their bulky appearance. Bison are surprisingly fast and agile, able to turn quickly to avoid danger.
- They have a unique method of communication. Bison grunt, snort, and use a variety of vocalisations to communicate with each other.
- Bison wallows create habitats for other species. They roll around to remove pests and dirt, which creates depressions in the ground that benefit other animals by collecting rainwater and nutrients.
- The American bison is the national mammal of the United States. In 2016, bison were officially designated as the national mammal, symbolising strength and resilience.
- They are one of the few animals that survived the Ice Age. Bison roamed the grasslands of North America alongside mammoths and sabre-toothed cats.
- Bison calves are known as “red dogs”. They are born with reddish fur, which darkens as they age.
- In America, bison are called buffalo. But an American bison is not the same animal as an African (or Cape) buffalo (which is the original Big Five).
Image Credit: Jillian Cooper/Istockphoto.
Where are the best places to see bison?
Small bison populations are gradually being reintroduced across Canada, including:
- Elk Island National Park, Alberta
- Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan
- Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta and Northwest Territories
Outside Canada, bison can be seen in Yellowstone National Park (USA) and you can also see European bison, mainly in Poland and Belarus.
Image Credit: Danielle Linkletter/istockphoto.
Black bear
The black bear (Ursus americanus) is the most common and widespread bear species in North America and one of the most easily recognised animals in Canada.
These entertaining and funny creatures can be found in forests, swamps, and mountainous regions across Canada, where they live a solitary lifestyle and eat a varied diet including berries, nuts, insects, fish, and occasionally small mammals.
Be warned though – they may look funny and cuddly, but they have sharp teeth and claws and can be very dangerous!
Black bears are smaller than polar bears and grizzly bears. Adult males can weigh up to 600 pounds, while females are smaller.
While they are not considered endangered, habitat loss and human encroachment continue to pose challenges to their long-term survival in some areas.
And although there are quite a lot of them, we really struggled to see them on my Canadian wildlife watching trips in both Jasper National Park and Riding Mountain National Park.
Image Credit: Jennifer Chance/Istockphoto.
My top facts about black bears
- Black bears aren’t always black. Despite their name, black bears can be brown, cinnamon, blonde, and even white (in the case of the rare ‘spirit bear’ found in British Columbia).
- They are excellent tree climbers. Their short, sharp claws allow them to climb trees quickly, often to escape predators or find food.
- Black bears hibernate for up to seven months. During hibernation, their heart rate drops to as low as 8 beats per minute, and they do not eat, drink, or excrete waste.
- They have an incredible sense of smell. A black bear’s sense of smell is about seven times stronger than that of a bloodhound, enabling them to detect food from miles away.
- They are highly intelligent. Black bears have been observed using tools, opening latches, and even problem-solving to get access to food in human areas.
- They are omnivorous. Although they are classified as carnivores, up to 85% of a black bear’s diet consists of berries, nuts, roots, and vegetation, with the rest being fish or small mammals.
- Black bear mothers are highly protective of their cubs, which are born during hibernation. They raise them for over a year, teaching them how to find food and avoid danger.
- They communicate with body language. Black bears often communicate through gestures, such as fake charging and swatting the ground to avoid conflict with other animals or humans.
- They can swim long distances. Black bears are strong swimmers and will traverse lakes and rivers to find food or escape danger.
- Black bears usually avoid humans. While they are powerful and can be dangerous, they are generally shy and try to avoid people unless provoked or searching for food.
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Where are the best places to see black bears?
Black bears are widespread across Canada, including:
- Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba (where I saw some)
- Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia
- Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
- Jasper National Park, Alberta (I saw one here too!)
Apart from Canada, you can also find black bears in the USA and Mexico, and there’s also an Asian black bear which has a white patch on its front and is widespread across northern India, southeast Asia and some parts of Russia.
Image Credit: Jessie Tanguay/Istockphoto.
Beluga Whale
Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are a unique and charismatic species of small-to-medium-sized whales, known for their bright white colour and distinct vocalisations.
Belugas are among the smallest whale species, measuring up to 6 metres, with a thick layer of blubber to survive cold waters. Despite their size, they can dive to depths of 700 metres.
They are highly social animals, traveling in pods of up to around 10 individuals, and are known for their curiosity around humans and boats. When I took these photos, they came right up to the boat to check us out.
Belugas are integral to Arctic ecosystems, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and worms. These Canadian mammals are also culturally significant to Indigenous Arctic communities, who have relied on them for food, tools, and other resources for millennia.
Though they are currently listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN, conservationists have become increasingly concerned about the impact of climate change, industrial shipping, and habitat degradation on beluga populations.
Their distinct appearance and playful behaviour make them an essential part of the Canadian Big Five.
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My 10 facts about beluga whales
- Beluga whales can swim backward. Unlike most other whales, they can reverse direction in the water, thanks to their flexible necks and maneuverability.
- They shed their skin every summer by rubbing against gravel in shallow waters. This process helps them remove old skin cells and maintain smooth, healthy skin.
- They have flexible necks. Unlike most cetaceans, belugas lack fused vertebrae in their necks, allowing them to nod and move their heads in all directions.
- Belugas are highly vocal and communicate using clicks, whistles, and chirps, earning them the nickname “canaries of the sea.” They have one of the most complex vocalizations among whales.
- They can live in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Belugas sometimes swim up rivers, and they are frequently spotted far inland in Canada’s St. Lawrence River.
- Belugas can mimic sounds. They are one of the few whale species capable of mimicking human speech patterns and other environmental noises.
- They have echolocation abilities. Using sonar, belugas can navigate, hunt, and communicate in murky or dark waters.
- Beluga whales turn white with age. When they are born, beluga calves are dark grey and gradually lighten, turning fully white by the age of 5 to 7 years.
- Their blubber is known as ‘muktuk’ and is eaten by the Inuit as a great source of vitamins A, C and D, allowing them to survive the harsh winters without getting scurvy.
- Beluga calves nurse for over a year. This long nursing period allows them to develop thick blubber, which is crucial for surviving in icy waters.
Image Credit: mutarusan/Istockphoto.
Where are the best places to see beluga whales?
By far the best place to see belugas is where I did – in Churchill, Manitoba, during the summer breeding season.
However you can also see them in the St. Lawrence River, Quebec and along the Arctic coasts of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Outside of Canada, beluga whales can be found in Russian Arctic waters, Greenland, and Alaska (USA).
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This article originally appeared on Passportandpixels.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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