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Five animals that could rival CN Tower climbers

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For 30 years now, climbers from across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond have tackled the CN Tower’s 1,776 steps in support of nature. While the average climb time is between 30 to 40 minutes, some wildlife that call Canada home could rival even our speediest Elite Climbers, those humans who can reach the top of the tower in less than 15 minutes! These animals are also dependent on healthy ecosystems, which our climbers are helping WWF-Canada conserve and restore from coast to coast to coast.

Join us on April 4 or 5 at WWF-Canada’s CN Tower Climb for Nature.

1. Mountain goats

© Mary Shutt

These alpine experts would be tough to beat in any climbing competition. Mountain goats have cloven hooves and rough pads that improve their balance on steep and narrow mountain ledges throughout their (often icy) mountainous habitats. These goats are stocky, with strong leg muscles and heavy, white coats that keep them warm at high altitudes. They’re part of the Bovidae family, which includes other top-notch climbers like bighorn sheep.

2. Black bears

© J. D. Taylor / WWF-Canada

Black bears are excellent climbers with large claws which serve as strong grips. They spend most of their time foraging for food, especially during the autumn months while they prepare for winter hibernation. Despite their large, lumbering appearances, these bears can sprint up to 56 kilometres per hour and climb a 30-metre tree in about 30 seconds flat — talk about elite climbers!

3. Porcupines

© Glass and Nature / Shutterstock.com

They may not be as speedy as bears, but these agile rodents would be prickly Climb competitors. A single porcupine can have over 30,000 quills on its body, which serve as protection in warding off would-be predators. Their offspring, known as “porcupettes,” are born with soft quills that harden a few days after birth. The North American porcupine is the only porcupine species native to Canada. As an arboreal species, they live in trees where they also find their food. They’re very adept at climbing and living high above the ground.

4. Cougars

© Klein & Hubert / WWF

Cougars, also known as “mountain lions” and “pumas,” can climb over 4.5 metres in a single leap and reach top speeds of about 80 kilometres per hour. These big cats have one of the largest ranges of all land mammals in the western hemisphere — they can be found from the Yukon all the way down to Argentina. As formidable predators with excellent eyesight, hearing and sense of smell, cougars often hunt prey up to four times their own size.

5. Raccoons

© Sarah Pietrkiewicz

These crafty critters can easily climb trees and tall buildings and use their hand-like paws for easy manoeuvring. In fact, these paws come in very handy for other manoeuvres like opening garbage bins and even doorknobs. Their paws are also very sensitive, and raccoons “wash” their food to increase the sensitivity of their paws when examining food sources. As omnivores, these ring-tailed mammals will eat almost anything, which makes urban centres ideal for scavenging food. Raccoons are native to North America, including big cities like Toronto where you will also find Canada’s tallest tower.

So whatever animal inspires you, we challenge you to bring your very best for wildlife at WWF-Canada’s CN Tower Climb for Nature on April 4 or 5.

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About Zohe

Environmentalist, Futurist, Lightworker, Wannabe naturalist. The way we are treating our world and environment is not going to end well! We need to change course NOW.

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