The national animal of Canada is the beaver, and Canada also officially recognizes the Canadian horse as a national animal symbol.

Quick Scoop: Canada’s National Animal

Canada is best known for the beaver as its primary national animal, formally recognized as a national symbol in 1975 under the National Symbol of Canada Act. In addition, the Canadian horse is also widely recognized as a national animal emblem, giving Canada two nationally celebrated animals.

The Beaver: Official National Symbol

  • The beaver (Castor canadensis) is a herbivorous, semi‑aquatic mammal found across every Canadian province and territory, especially near rivers, lakes, and ponds.
  • It became an official symbol of Canada on March 24, 1975, when the National Symbol of Canada Act received royal assent.
  • Historically, the beaver was central to the fur trade from the 17th to the mid‑19th century, which powered much of the early Canadian economy and shaped national development.
  • Because of this economic and cultural importance, the beaver evolved from a traded animal into a core emblem of Canadian identity and sovereignty.

Many Canadian government and educational sites describe the beaver as “a symbol of the sovereignty of Canada,” reflecting both its legal status and its deep historical role.

The Canadian Horse: The Other National Animal

  • Several wildlife and educational sources note that Canada has two national animals: the beaver and the Canadian horse.
  • The Canadian horse is celebrated for its strength, endurance, and versatility, traits often associated with Canada’s rural heritage and resilience.
  • While the beaver is the better‑known emblem, the Canadian horse also appears in discussions of Canada’s official animal symbols and national heritage.

Mini FAQ and Extra Context

  1. So if I have to name just one, which is it?
    In most quizzes, citizenship tests, or “trivia” contexts, the expected answer to “what is the national animal of Canada” is the beaver.
  1. Why not a more “majestic” predator?
    Commentators often point out that, unlike symbolic lions or eagles used in some countries, the beaver is chosen because it is native, widespread, and historically crucial to Canada’s economic and political formation.
  1. Is this still relevant today?
    Recent anniversary pieces (marking about 50 years since the 1975 Act) show that the beaver remains an active, celebrated symbol in coins, education materials, and public history projects.

TL;DR: The beaver is Canada’s main and legally recognized national animal, and the Canadian horse is also widely recognized as a national animal symbol of the country.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.