Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi

Habitat: They prefer cooler waters, this is generally mountain streams or rivers. They can be found in various regions in Alberta, British Columbia, and Montana. 

Diet: This trout species will forage on invertebrates like mayflies and crane flies. 

Identification: They can be identified by the presence of an adipose fin. Colouration consists of dark spots on a lighter background. Body colour ranges from silver to yellowish-green with lower sides and belly somewhat reddish to bright red in some individuals at spawning time. 

Fun Fact: Westslope Cutthroat Trout is listed as a species of concern in British Columbia but only listed as threatened in Alberta.

Western Painted Turtles

Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta bellii

Habitat: Painted turtles feed and hibernate in wetlands but will nest in warmer upland sites. 

Diet: Their diets includes insects, snails, earthworms, frogs, tadpoles, algae, and aquatic plants.

Identification: They can be identified by bright yellow stripes on the head, neck, tail and legs and red colouring on its underside. 

Fun Fact: They can “supercool” to survive freezing temperatures without damaging their tissues. They can even freeze for short periods of time. Come spring, they emerge and make their way to the Idlewild wetland.

Osprey 

Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus

Habitat: They will nest near water and can be found worldwide. They will migrate south for the winter and return in the spring for mating.

Diet: They eat fish by diving into water to catch their meals. 

Identification: They are dark brown on the back with a white body. They also have a distinctive dark eye strip.

Fun Fact: They mate for life and will often return to the same place in the spring. There is a resident pair that can be found at Idlewild!