Fauna
The wildlife is characteristic of isolated marine environment. Of the 24 mammal species, 14 of these are marine mammals that include grey seals and harbour seals. Even large whales ply the nearby cold waters of the Gulf.
Originally, there were probably only six indigenous species of land mammals, namely the Red Fox, River Otter, Deer Mouse, American Marten, Black Bear, and two bat species (the Little brown and northern bat), but the marten and bear have now disappeared.
In order to make Anticosti Island a hunter's paradise, several animal species have been introduced since 1896, making the island an unprecedented biological experiment. In all sixteen new species have been introduced, but six proved to be unsuccessful, including bison, caribou, elk, mink, and fisher. For ten species it has been fruitful: six species of terrestrial mammals (such as white-tailed deer, moose, beaver, Snowshoe Hare, and muskrat), two species of frogs, and two species of non-migratory birds (Ruffed Grouse and the Spruce Grouse). Of all these species introduced, the success of white-tailed deer is particular noteworthy. From an initial group of about 200 introduced in 1896 and 1897, the population of white-tailed deer has grown to an estimated 160,000 animals today, representing a density of 20 deer/km2.
The brook trout, Atlantic salmon and American eel visit the shores and swim up several rivers of the island.
Some 221 bird species distributed among 21 families have been observed on Anticosti Island. It is home to nearly 60% of the known breeding sites of the Bald Eagle in the province of Quebec.
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Famous quotes containing the word fauna:
“The whole fauna of human fantasies, their marine vegetation, drifts and luxuriates in the dimly lit zones of human activity, as though plaiting thick tresses of darkness. Here, too, appear the lighthouses of the mind, with their outward resemblance to less pure symbols. The gateway to mystery swings open at the touch of human weakness and we have entered the realms of darkness. One false step, one slurred syllable together reveal a man’s thoughts.”
—Louis Aragon (1897–1982)