Browse "Animals"

Crustacean, shelled invertebrate with segmented body and limbs at some stage of its life, an exoskeleton and 2 pairs of antennae. The exoskeleton, a protective and supportive framework located outside the body, is periodically molted to allow for growth.

In Canada, all crustacean species with significant economic value are in the order Decapoda.

The cuckoo (Cuculidae) is a family of birds with about 130 species, including common cuckoos, anis, couas, coucals and roadrunners, distributed almost worldwide.

Cuttlefish, decapod ("ten-footed") mollusc of class Cephalopoda. Cuttlefish comprise over 100 species in genera Sepia and Spirula.

Damselfly, thin-bodied, carnivorous insect with 2 pairs of long, membranous, narrow-based wings.

Deer (Cervidae) is a family of antlered, hoofed ruminants of the order Artiodactyla containing about 40 species worldwide.

Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), typical mouse with moderately long tail, large ears, prominent eyes and pointed nose well supplied with tactile hairs.

Dinosaur, term used for a taxonomic group of animals that includes the Saurischia (lizard-hipped) and Ornithischia (bird-hipped) that dominated Earth during the Mesozoic era (250-65 million years ago).

 Devil's Coulee is unique in Canada in that it preserves thousands of fossilized eggshell fragments from the Late Cretaceous (ca 100-65 Ma), as well as numerous clutches of dinosaur eggs, some containing embryos.

Most early discoveries were made in artificial excavations, eg, rock quarries or coal mines.

The dipper (Cinclidae) family of birds comprises 5 species of birds known colloquially as water ouzel.

The dobsonfly is a large (100-140 mm), soft-bodied freshwater insect of order Megaloptera, family Corydalidae; smaller forms are called fishflies.

Dog (Canis familiaris) is a carnivorous mammal, and probably the first domesticated animal. In Canada, dogs were first kept by Indigenous peoples. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes 175 breeds, five of which are uniquely Canadian: the Tahltan bear dog, the Canadian Inuit dog, the Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever, the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador retriever.

Dolphin and Porpoise, are the common names for small, toothed mammals of the order Cetacea which also includes whales.

Dove is the name applied to certain species of the pigeon family, especially to those of smaller size.

Dragonfly, common name for robust carnivorous insects of order Odonata [Gk "toothed," referring to mouth parts].

Waterfowl with short legs, webbed feet and narrow, pointed wings are known as ducks.

A large bird of prey, the eagle (family Accipitridae) has exceptionally keen vision, long, powerful wings, a hooked bill and strong feet with sharp curved talons.

Earthworm, is a segmented worm of phylum Annelida, class Oligochaeta. The class comprises some 14 families, including Lumbricidae, to which the common earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) belongs.

Echinodermata [Gk "spiny skin"], phylum of exclusively marine invertebrate animals. The 6000 known species occur from shores to greatest depths of all oceans.