Number of Native Species in Canada

Canada has seven thousand species of native plants and vertebrate animals. Over half of these are flowering plants, which number four thousand species.

Among vertebrate animals, fish form the most diverse group in the country, accounting for about half of Canada's animal species. Birds make up another large species group.

The country has nearly two hundred different species of mammals. But only a small number of reptile and amphibian species can survive in Canada's cold climate.

Indeed, for all types of animals and plants, just a small proportion of the world's species live in Canada. Despite its massive size and varied geography, Canada has far fewer species than many other nations. The low diversity of species is due to the country's harsh climate and its history of heavy glaciation during ice ages.

These numbers of plants and animals native to Canada include recently extinct species and wild species that now only survive in captivity. The number of fish species includes all freshwater, but not all marine species.

Not in the totals are exotic or invasive species of plants and animals introduced to Canada from other countries. Non-native livestock and cultivated plants are also not part of the species totals.

How Many Animal Species Live in Canada

Taking a more detailed look at the groups of Canada's animals shows that rodents make up the country's largest category, accounting for one-third of mammal species. Another one-fifth of mammal species live in the oceans.

Among reptiles, snakes are most numerous. Amphibians include almost as many species of salamanders as frogs and toads.

Animal Categories Explained