Niagara Falls, a globally recognized natural wonder, captivates with its immense power and beauty. Beyond its geological marvel, the surrounding area forms a vibrant ecosystem supporting a surprising diversity of life. This environment, shaped by the powerful flow of water, provides habitats for a wide array of animal species.
Animals of the Waterways
The Niagara River, connecting Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, supports a rich variety of fish. Over 60 species inhabit these waters, including Chinook salmon, steelhead, walleye, lake and brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskellunge, yellow perch, and channel catfish. The emerald shiner, a minnow species, plays a foundational role as a keystone species, providing a food source for larger fish and birds.
The river and its associated wetlands also support aquatic mammals and amphibians. Muskrats utilize aquatic vegetation and banks for shelter and food. The Niagara region is home to 17 amphibian species, many thriving in the wetlands and along the river’s edges.
Birds of the Falls and Surrounding Air
The Niagara region hosts over 300 bird species annually. Recognized as an Important Bird Area and a Ramsar site, the Niagara River Corridor is a migratory pathway along the Atlantic Flyway. Over 100,000 gulls, including Bonaparte’s, herring, and ring-billed gulls, gather in fall and winter, with more than 19 species recorded.
Over 25 waterfowl species, such as mallards, canvasbacks, mergansers, and scoters, are present. Raptors like bald eagles, ospreys, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons hunt above the area, utilizing updrafts and abundant prey. Songbirds and other migratory species, including warblers and swallows, use the Niagara corridor as a stopover point during their seasonal journeys.
Wildlife on Land
The parks, forests, and green spaces surrounding Niagara Falls provide habitats for terrestrial animals. Over 53 mammal species inhabit the Niagara Escarpment, including white-tailed deer, red foxes, raccoons, squirrels, and skunks. Black bears are occasionally spotted within the larger Niagara Parks areas.
Reptiles and amphibians also contribute to the area’s biodiversity. The Niagara region is home to 36 reptile species, including 14 snake species like common garter and milk snakes. Snapping turtles are present in the region’s aquatic and wetland environments.
Insects form a part of the terrestrial food web, with species like common whitetail skimmers and butterflies such as clouded sulphurs and viceroys. Fireflies and cicadas are also present. However, invasive insect species, including the emerald ash borer and spotted lanternfly, pose challenges to native forests.
Niagara Falls’ Supporting Ecosystem
The environmental factors around Niagara Falls contribute to its rich biodiversity. The constant mist creates a distinct microclimate, nourishing specialized vegetation like mosses and lichens that form a “green carpet” on rocks. This condition supports organisms adapted to the moist environment.
The region’s diverse vegetation, including forests, wetlands, and rare plant communities, enhances the ecosystem’s capacity to support wildlife. The Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, features geological formations and varied forest types. This combination of habitats provides shelter, food, and breeding grounds for numerous species.
The abundant freshwater from the Niagara River is a foundation of the ecosystem. The river’s waters remain unfrozen in winter, providing an overwintering site for large congregations of waterbirds when other freshwater bodies are inaccessible. These natural features, coupled with protected areas like Niagara Parks and the Niagara River Corridor’s Ramsar site designation, support the wide array of animals thriving in and around Niagara Falls.