Every country has its national anthem, national flag, national symbol, and national animal. Canada’s national sport is ice hockey and lacrosse. Canadian culture is rich and diverse.

Sir William Alexander, King George, Robert Stanley Weir, and King Henry IV plays significant roles in Canadian history. Their work is recognizable as yet. Every national anthem, symbol, and flag has significance and meaning.

What is the national animal of Canada? We all know that Canada is full of multicolor and we will discuss the national animal in detail in this article.

1. About Canada

Canadian history is very rich, and Canada has a vast historical record. Over the last fifteen centuries, British and French expeditions explored and fought over different places within North America.

Canada has a population from all over the world, and every person, irrespective of their background, has equal fundamental rights as a native citizen of Canada.

Canada is very colorful in terms of everything. Let’s discuss something interesting about Canada’s national animal.

Canada has two national animals. The first is the Canadian horse, and the second is the beaver. The Canadian beaver population is a uniquely Canadian identity. The Penny beaver population is very special for the fur trade in the olden times. Selling beaver pelts is banned in the country.

The Irish royal harp, along with the maple leaf of the maple tree, beaver dams, male beaver pelt, and French fur traders, is the Canadian heritage.

Canada’s national animal, especially the one male beaver pelt, has the royal proclamation according to the Canada Act. Canada’s arboreal emblem has the symbols of Canada’s national animal. Canada’s coat of arms also has the character of a national animal. 

2. What Is The National Animal Of Canada?

Canada has two major national animals, the beaver, and the Canadian Horse. The beaver is a large nocturnal and semi-aquatic rodent mainly known for building lodges, dams, and canals.

Beavers are large rodents, but the population of beaver pelts declined drastically due to extensive hunting. The beaver pelts got their national animal recognition due to their importance to the fur trade and the country’s economic development.

Sometimes the national animal beaver appears to be the coat of arms of the very old commercial corporation majorly in North American beaver. The Hudson Bay Company was established in 1913; the Beaver Insurance Company operated for many years.

Beaver pelts have had a very significant impact on Canadian history. Due to Canadian history, the beaver is considered to be the national animal of Canada.

The national animal beaver on the provincial coats of arms represents national unity. The national animal was also on the first postage stamp of the year 1849 issued by Canadian colonies.

Besides the national animal and symbol, the Beaver is also the symbol of many organizations and associations, including the Toronto police service, Canadian Pacific Railway Company, Hudson’s Bay Company, and Canadian military engineers, which mainly display the beaver on the Canadian armed forces coat of arms.

The beaver is mainly the symbol of the bygone era. On the other hand, polar bears are majestic animals that reflect the nation’s spirit. 

Another national animal of Canada is the Canadian horse, visible on many national symbols of Canada.

The Canadian horse is associated with agricultural activities and traditions. The Act of Parliament which was declared in the year 2002 by the government of Canada, declared the Canadian horse as the national animal of Canada.

Provincial legislation recognized the Canadian horse as the heritage breed of Quebec. The Canadian horses are famous for their wavy mane and good, tall feet. They are supposed to have endurance, soundness, and hardness.

2.1. Beaver (National Symbol)

The beaver is the official and formally known national animal of Canada. It is the symbol of the sovereignty of Canada. The beaver receives royal assent in March on the 24th of the year 1975. However, it has been part of Canadian history for a long time, as it has a very important role in the fur trade. Early European explorers realized that Canada was not a very spice-rich Orient; the main attraction center was the beaver population.

That is why the hunting of this animal increased suddenly, and it gained double the amount from its original purchase price in the late 1600s and starting in the 1700s. At that time, the fashion of the hat was very famous, which required beaver pelts, and these hats were very popular.

The European and early French explorers realized the need for demand, and they soon sold beaver pelts around Europe at prices higher than their original purchase price. Sir William Alexander, who was then granted the title of Nova Scotia in 1621, was the first to include the beaver in a coat of arms.

2.2. Canadian Horse, National Horse

The first animal considered Canada’s national animal is the Canadian horse. The origin of this breed of horse dates back to the year 1665. Usually, at that time, the king of France sent horses from the royal stables to the new France. 

At that time, the famous breeds were Arabian, Barb, and Andalusian horses. Over the next few years, the horse’s species in New France developed in the isolated area, and due to that new breed formed, this breed gradually took up the shape of a Canadian horse.

These horses are well-known worldwide for their endurance, intelligence, and good temper. The government and NGOs made many efforts in the late 1800s and from the end of the 20th century to save this horse species.

This species is now at the end of its extent; the government does so many things to keep it.

Final Note – What is the National Animal of Canada?

Canada is very rich in its culture and its historical role play. It has a wonderful journey of evolution, and in this journey, this country evolved a lot and learned a lot from its past incidents. The different incidents tell us how this country overcame the different situations.

Every country has its history, and with the incident in that history, every country decided on some standards and its national belongings. The national anthem, national bird, and national animal come under the personal belonging of that particular country.

In this article, we discussed a brief overview of the national flag, national anthem, and national symbol; we also briefly discussed “What is the national animal of Canada?”

The national animal of Canada is the beaver and the Canadian horse. The animal beaver and Canadian horse have unique and identical features. These two animals are found on the coat of arms, on the Royal Union flag, and in many more places.

Last Updated on March 10, 2024 by laibaarif