This list of mammals in Quebec is based on the "List of vertebrate fauna of Quebec". It includes species that have disappeared in recent history and introduced species. It contains 97 species in nine orders: one species of didelphimorphs, ten species of insectivores, eight species of chiropterans, three species of lagomorphs, 25 species of rodents, 21 species of fissipeds, five species of artiodactyls, seven species of pinnipeds, and 17 species of cetaceans.
This list is focused on wild mammals only. As such, humans, domesticated mammals and exotic pets are not included.
Didelphimorphia Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family DidelphidaeVirginia opossumDidelphis virginianaThe only marsupial in North America. Poorly adapted to Quebec winters, it can disappear completely from the northern part of its range during harsh winters until individuals from the south recolonize the territory. Insectivora Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family SoricidaeCinereus shrewSorex cinereusThe most widespread shrew in Quebec and North America. Often also the most abundant in the habitats it occupies, particularly in the boreal forest.Smoky shrewSorex fumeusArctic shrewSorex arcticusThe distribution of this species corresponds largely to the boreal forest.Long-tailed shrewSorex disparThis species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Gaspé shrewSorex gaspensisRare, this shrew is also the only endemic to Canada. In Quebec, it is found in the regions of Gaspésie, Chaudière-Appalaches and Estrie. It is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable.American water shrewSorex palustrisThis shrew has an extensive range, but it is not abundant and rarely observed.American pygmy shrewSorex hoyiThe smallest mammal in eastern Canada. Although its range is vast, this shrew is rare.Northern short-tailed shrewBlarina brevicaudaCommon within its range. Family TalpidaeHairy-tailed moleParascalops breweriStar-nosed moleCondylura cristataThe most northern of the North American moles. Chiroptera Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family VespertilionidaeLittle brown batMyotis lucifugusCOSEWIC considers this species as endangered.Northern long-eared batMyotis septentrionalisCOSEWIC considers this species as endangered.Eastern small-footed batMyotis leibiiThis species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Tricolored batPerimyotis subflavusCOSEWIC considers this species as endangered. The MFFP considers it likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable.Silver-haired batLasionycteris noctivagansMigratory species. This species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Eastern red batLasiurus borealisMigratory species. This species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Hoary batLasiurus cinereusMigratory species. This species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Big brown batEptesicus fuscus Lagomorpha Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family LeporidaeEastern cottontailSylvilagus floridanusExpanding in southern Quebec.Snowshoe hareLepus americanusIntroduced to Anticosti Island during the winter of 1902-1903.Arctic hareLepus arcticus Rodentia Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family SciuridaeEastern chipmunkTamias striatusLeast chipmunkTamias minimusGroundhogMarmota monaxEastern gray squirrelSciurus carolinensisThe Eastern gray squirrel has been introduced to various locations in western North America, England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and South Africa.American red squirrelTamiasciurus hudsonicusSouthern flying squirrelGlaucomys volansThis species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Northern flying squirrelGlaucomys sabrinus Family CastoridaeNorth American beaverCastor canadensisIntroduced to Anticosti Island in 1890, in the Haida Gwaii archipelago, in Finland (1937), in the Kamchatka peninsula, in Poland, in Tierra del Fuego (1948), in Argentina and in France (1970s). Family CricetidaeDeer mousePeromyscus maniculatusThis species occupies a large part of North America and is abundant. It is found in a great variety of habitats. Its swimming abilities have allowed it to colonize several islands.White-footed mousePeromyscus leucopusSouthern red-backed voleMyodes gapperiEastern heather volePhenacomys ungavaThe taxonomy of this species is subject to controversy. Some consider P. ungava as an integral part of P. intermedius.Woodland voleMicrotus pinetorumPresent only in southern Estrie and Montérégie. The MFFP considers this species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable. COSEWIC considers the status of this species as special concern.Meadow voleMicrotus pennsylvanicusExtensive distribution. Present throughout Quebec.Rock voleMicrotus chrotorrhinusThis species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.MuskratOndatra zibethicusIntroduced to Anticosti Island in 1930.Southern bog lemmingSynaptomys cooperiThis species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Northern bog lemmingSynaptomys borealisUngava collared lemmingDicrostonyx hudsoniusEndemic to the Quebec-Labrador peninsula. Family MuridaeBrown ratRattus norvegicusOriginally from East Asia, the Brown rat has colonized all continents except Antarctica. It is estimated to have appeared in North America around 1750. Distribution in northern regions is fluctuating given that winter cold often decimates populations, but these are constantly renewed with the reintroduction of new individuals via maritime transport.Black ratRattus rattusOriginally from Asia, like the Brown rat, the Black rat has colonized all continents except Antarctica via maritime transport. In Quebec, it is found only in the Port of Montreal where its presence is increasing.House mouseMus musculusOriginally from the Old World, the House mouse was introduced to Canada during the 17th century. Family DipodidaeMeadow jumping mouseZapus hudsoniusWoodland jumping mouseNapaeozapus insignis Family ErethizontidaeNorth American porcupineErethizon dorsatum Carnivora Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family CanidaeCoyoteCanis latransIn constant expansion since European colonization. The first mention in Quebec comes from Luskville in the municipality of Pontiac in 1944.Gray wolfCanis lupusCOSEWIC considers the Eastern wolf (C. l. lycaon) as threatened. Formerly present throughout Quebec, it was decimated from regions south of the St. Lawrence River during the second half of the 19th century.Arctic foxVulpes lagopusThe Arctic fox has the most insulating fur of all mammals.Red foxVulpes vulpesGray foxUrocyon cinereoargenteusCOSEWIC considers this species as threatened. Family UrsidaeAmerican black bearUrsus americanusOnce abundant on Anticosti Island, the American black bear is now extinct there.Polar bearUrsus maritimusMFFP considers the Polar bear as vulnerable. COSEWIC considers the status of this species as special concern.Grizzly bearUrsus arctosA now extinct population of Grizzly bear once occupied northern Quebec and Labrador until the beginning of the twentieth century. Family ProcyonidaeRaccoonProcyon lotorIntroduced to the Haida Gwaii archipelago, Prince Edward Island, Grand Manan Island, Europe and Russia. Family MustelidaeAmerican martenMartes americanaDisappeared from Anticosti Island at the beginning of the 20th century.FisherMartes pennantiStoatMustela ermineaLeast weaselMustela nivalisThis species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP.Long-tailed weaselMustela frenataAmerican minkNeovison visonIntroduced to South America, Europe and Asia.WolverineGulo guloCOSEWIC considers the status of the Wolverine as special concern. In Quebec, the range and abundance have greatly diminished from the 19th century.North American river otterLontra canadensis Family MephitidaeStriped skunkMephitis mephitis Family FelidaeCougarPuma concolorThe Cougar is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable by the MFFP. The population has undergone significant decline in eastern North America, but recently several signs may betray a return of the species.Canada lynxLynx canadensisBobcatLynx rufus Artiodactyla Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family CervidaeWhite-tailed deerOdocoileus virginianusIntroduced to Anticosti Island in 1896.MooseAlces americanusWoodland caribouRangifer tarandus caribouThe status of the subspecies R. t. caribou is not evaluated by the IUCN, but the status of the species R. tarandus is of least concern. The Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks considers the Woodland caribou, forest ecotype as vulnerable, but the Woodland caribou, mountain ecotype, Gaspésie population as threatened. COSEWIC considers the Gaspésie-Atlantic, Eastern migratory and Torngat Mountains populations as endangered and the boreal population as threatened.ElkCervus canadensisThe subspecies C. c. canadensis, now extinct, once occupied southern Quebec until the 1830s. The first specimen of this species described by Johann Christian Erxleben in 1777 came from Quebec. Family BovidaeMuskoxOvibos moschatusMuskoxen were introduced in 1967 in the Kuujjuaq region. Initially captive, they were released to return to the wild from 1973. Pinnipedia Photo Names(English / Scientific) IUCN Status Notes Range Map Family PhocidaeHarbor sealPhoca vitulinaCOSEWIC considers the Lacs des Loups Marins subspecies (P. v. mellonae) as endangered. The MFFP considers the same subspecies as likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable.Grey sealHalichoerus grypusHarp sealPagophilus groenlandicusHooded sealCystophora cristataRinged sealPusa hispidaBearded sealErignathus barbatus Family OdobenidaeWalrusOdobenus rosmarusThe MFFP considers this species as likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable. COSEWIC considers the status of the Central Arctic and Low Arctic population (O. r. rosmarus) as special concern. A population once occupied the coastal waters of the Maritimes and the Gulf of St. Lawrence until the 1800s but was hunted to extinction. Cetacea