Three species of ungulates have at one time inhabited Nova Scotia: Woodland Caribou, White-tailed Deer and Moose. Their respective fortunes illustrate the effects of long-term climatic change, habitat alteration and hunting pressures. Caribou were extirpated on the mainland by 1905 and in Cape Breton by 1921. At present, Moose appear to be increasing in numbers, particularly in western Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Deer reached a population peak in 1986 and have subsequently declined.

This Document Includes:

Range
Climatic Change
The Arrival of Deer
Moose Sickness
Habitat and Food Factors
Winter

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Additional Keywords:
legislation, hunting, nematode parasite

Associated Topics

T4.1 Post-glacial Climatic Change
T4.3 Post-glacial Colonization by Animals
T10.5 Seed-bearing Plants
T10.6 Trees
T10.11 Lichens
T11.8 Land Mammals
T11.15 Land and Freshwater Invertebrates
T12.11 Animals and Resources

Associated Habitats

H5.2 Oldfield
H6 Forests