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Fauna of Toronto

Summary

The fauna of Toronto include a variety of different species situated within the city limits. Toronto contains a mosaic of ecosystems that includes forests, rivers, streams, and wetlands, which allows it to support a large variety of fauna.[1] Approximately 87 to 90 per cent of the city's indigenous flora and fauna inhabit the city reside within the Toronto ravine system.[2][3][better source needed] The city's ravine system, creeks and rivers are wildlife corridors that allow animals to travel from one area of the city to another.[4] Although most animals in Toronto reside within the ravine system, several animals also live in the city's urban environment and parks.

A beaver in High Park in Toronto. The beaver is a national symbol of Canada and is featured on the coat of arms of Toronto.

The City of Toronto reports there are 24 species of amphibians and reptiles, 38 species of mammals,[note 1] over 410 bird species, and a large number of insect genera in the city. There are also over 100 species of fish reported within the Greater Toronto Area.

Toronto was also in the historic range of several other animals, although the city's urban growth in the 19th century and early 20th century led to these species' natural range to recede beyond the city limits.

Vertebrates edit

Amphibians and reptiles edit

 
Blanding's turtles is one of several endangered species that inhabit the city.
 
An Eastern garter snake in the Toronto ravine system

There are 24 species of amphibians and reptiles that are considered native species within the city limits of Toronto, with most populations concentrated in the wetlands found in the city.[1] Six of these native species were listed under the federal Species at Risk Act.[1] The following amphibian and reptile species (sorted by family) may be found throughout the City of Toronto:

Birds edit

At least 195 bird species were confirmed to breed in the area, with a total of 410 species of birds recorded in the Greater Toronto Area (either breeding, in migration, or vagrant).[1][31] A number of birds pass through the Toronto while migrating, with the city being situated around where the Atlantic and the Mississippi migratory flyways converge.

The following bird species (sorted by family) have been spotted in the City of Toronto, and Greater Toronto:[31]

 
Blue jays may be seen throughout the city. Toronto's Major League Baseball team is named after the bird.
 
The common loon is the provincial bird of Ontario, and a bird species that breeds within Greater Toronto.[31]
 
A bald eagle at Humber Bay Park
 
A Canada goose along the Harbourfront of Toronto
 
A Cooper's hawk at Colonel Samuel Smith Park
 
A great blue heron wading in Grenadier Pond at High Park
 
An Iceland gull at the Scarborough Bluffs. The gull is one of 11 species from the genus Larus that has been recorded in the city.
 
A magnolia warbler in Colonel Samuel Smith Park. The magnolia warbler is one of 52 New World warblers recorded in the city.
 
Introduced to the local ecosystem in the 19th century, mute swans are seen as an invasive species in Toronto. Their population requires regular management from the TRCA.[32]
 
A northern mockingbird perched on a branch at Humber Bay Park West.
 
A northern cardinal at Lambton Woods Park in Toronto.
 
A red-tailed hawk at High Park. The hawk is one of five species of the genus Buteo spotted in the city.
 
A snowy owl at the Leslie Street Spit. Snowy owls winter throughout southern Canada, including Toronto.
 
A trumpeter swan swimming on the Toronto waterfront.

Fish edit

There is approximately 100 species of coldwater, coolwater, and warmwater fish found within the waterways of Greater Toronto.[1] The following fish species are found in the creeks, ponds, and rivers that make up the Toronto waterway system, and the Toronto waterfront along Lake Ontario:[33][34]

Mammals edit

 
Two white-tailed deers near the West Humber River Trail in Toronto.
 
A coyote in Neville Park
 
Two melanistic eastern grey squirrel on a tree at Toronto Metropolitan University

There are 38 species of mammals that reside within Toronto, although these numbers have fluctuated due to environmental changes and loss of natural habitats during the past century.[1] The following mammals (sorted by family) may be found throughout the City of Toronto:[note 1][35]

Historic species edit

The historic range for several mammal species once extended into the City of Toronto. However, as the city developed, the natural range for several mammals receded beyond the city limits. At least 11 species of mammals were extirpated from the region.[1] The historic range for the following mammals once included Toronto, but were pushed beyond the city limits prior to 1912:[35]

Invertebrates edit

 
A monarch butterfly nectaring in The Queensway – Humber Bay.

Within the city of Toronto, there exists approximately 110 species of butterflies, although this number is prone to fluctuations as a result of a varied environment from year to year.[1] There is approximately six families of bees in Toronto, which includes 37 genera and 364 species of bees in Toronto.[1] Past published records estimate that there are 25 genera and approximately 200 species of spiders in Toronto; 24 of which were introduced to the region.[1] However, it is estimated that the actual number of species that exist in the city is approximately three times larger.[1] The following insects may be found throughout the City of Toronto including:[citation needed]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b The following does not include humans, animals held in captivity (like the Toronto Zoo), or domesticated animals (such as pets and livestock).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Non-native species.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Wild, Connected and Diverse: A Biodiversity Strategy for Toronto" (PDF). www.toronto.ca. City of Toronto. September 2019. pp. 22–23.
  2. ^ "Loop Trail: Connecting and Protecting Toronto's Ravines". www.evergreen.ca. Evergreen. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  3. ^ "The elusive urban forest that lies beneath Toronto". Travel. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  4. ^ "Mammals of Toronto" (PDF). City of Toronto. 2012. p. 11. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Snapping Turtle". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Eastern Gartersnake". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  7. ^ "DeKay's Brownsnake". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Milksnake". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  9. ^ "Red-bellied snake". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Northern watersnake". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Smooth Greensnake". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  12. ^ "Gray Treefrog". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Spring Peeper". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Western Chorus Frog". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Eastern Musk Turtle". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Eastern Red-backed Salamander". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Spotted Salamander". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Blanding's Turtle". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Midland Painted Turtle". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  20. ^ "Northern Map Turtle". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  21. ^ Robinson, Michael (24 June 2015). "Turtles face a threat from one of their own: red-eared invaders". Toronto Star. Torstar Corporation. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Spotted Turtle". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  23. ^ "Wood Turtle". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Mudpuppy". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  25. ^ "American Bullfrog". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  26. ^ "Green Frog". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Northern Leopard Frog". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Wood Frog". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Red-spotted salmander". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  30. ^ "American Toad". Ontario Nature. 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  31. ^ a b c "Checklist of the Birds of the Greater Toronto Area (2011)" (PDF). Birds of Toronto: A guide to their remarkable world. City of Toronto. 2011. pp. 46–47. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  32. ^ "Mute swan - Canada goose - Toronto Waterfront". City of Toronto. 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  33. ^ "Fishes of Toronto" (PDF). City of Toronto. 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  34. ^ "Existing conditions: fish and other species". Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  35. ^ a b "Checklist of the Mammals of Toronto" (PDF). Mammals of Toronto. City of Toronto. 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2018.

External links edit

  • Wildlife in the City

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