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Fauna

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Alpine Subregion: Bighorn Sheep.

Fauna is a collective term for the animal life of a particular region. With Alberta's wide variety of natural regions, there are lots of different kinds of animals. Each species of animal has had to adapt to live in its particular region.

Many species can be found in the extensive Boreal Forest region, including the Beaver. With its multitude of trees, this region is perfect for Beavers, who rely on wood for food and to build their home. The Beaver is one of the few mammals that alters its environment to suit its needs. A Beaver builds dams in running water to create deep pools of water, where the Beaver can remain active beneath the ice in winter. Beavers are also well adapted to working in water: they have thick layers of fat to protect them from cold water, and valves allow them to close their ears and nostrils when submerged.

The Parkland region is the most densely populated region in Alberta, and the fauna of the region have had to adapt to human alterations to survive. Trumpeter swans, however, are one species whose numbers have dwindled with the increasing human presence. Nesting sites for Trumpeter Swans are few in Alberta, as the Swans will not nest on lakes that have been disturbed by recreational activities. Classified as a vulnerable species in Alberta, their population has increased due to careful management of their nesting habitats.

Coyote

The Coyote is one of Alberta’s most plentiful mammals. Commonly found in the Grassland region, which has largely been converted for agriculture, the Coyote has adapted well to changing conditions. Coyotes can eat almost anything, including carrion, eggs, small mammals and birds, breed at an early age and they have a high reproductive output.

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