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People from around the world that travel to Newfoundland enjoy
the amazing wildlife, ocean and breathtaking scenery. A small taste of
what is amazing about our beautiful province is below for your viewing. Some
details regarding the subject has been provided for your reading pleasure!
Newfoundland Favourites
Moose are very big! Commonly referred to as "the
Newfoundland speed bump". They are part of the deer family. Moose have long, dark brown hair and long skinny legs and they have
a hump on their back shoulder. The bell-shaped thing that hangs under their
neck is called a "dewlap". Males are called bulls. They are
much larger than females and can weigh about 1800 pounds. A bull's antlers
can spread five feet wide; antlers fall off each winter, but grow back in the
spring. Female moose are called cows. Baby moose are called
calves. They are light colored when they are born. The calves stay with their
mother for a year. Moose can eat over 100 pounds of plants each day. They like
to eat the plants near lakes and swamps. Moose like water lilies as treats.
They will wade far out into a pond to munch on water lilies. Moose live alone
or in small groups. They hang out in wet, swampy places. In the winter you
can find them in forests. You'll find Moose most anywhere in Newfoundland.
Moose have very few enemies. Wolves and bears do prey on the calves and weak
adults. If you see a moose, be careful. They can be dangerous, strong and
fast! Have your camera ready!
The Common or Atlantic Puffin is a rather small sea bird that
spends most of its time at sea in the North Atlantic Ocean. They are Auks or
members of the Alcidae Family of birds (alcids). The only time it comes
ashore is to breed and raise a chick. These are the only puffins that occur
in the Atlantic. There are others that occur in the Pacific. They are so
appealing probably because of their multi-colored bills that have given them
nicknames like "sea parrot" and "clowns of the sea".
Puffins have always been liked by people for bird watching. Puffins are very
abundant birds of the North Atlantic and have never been endangered or
threatened (worldwide). There are an estimated 14 million puffins from Maine
to Norway and many of the islands and coasts in between. Some
scientists feel that Machias Seal Island is the southernmost limit of the
puffin range and that any other colonies south of this point are
"fringe" colonies. Like all birds, puffins go where they want and there are occasional puffin sightings as far south as
Long Island Sound.
The Newfoundland is a large, strong, heavy-coated, active dog
equally at home in the water and on land. He is a multipurpose dog, capable
of heavy work. His unique gentleness, even temper and devotion make him an
ideal companion for child or adult. In Newfoundland he was used as a
working dog to pull nets for the fishermen and to haul wood from the forest.
Elsewhere he patiently did heavy labor of all kinds, powering the
blacksmith's bellows and the turner's lathe. The oily nature of his double
coat (which effectively keeps him from getting wet to the skin), his webbed
feet, his deep, broad chest and well-sprung ribs make him a natural swimmer.
He has true life-saving instincts and is renowned in this role.
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Great Big Whales!
Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the most spectacular  whale-watching platforms in the world. Twenty-two (22) species
of whales swim regularly along the Newfoundland coastline. The most common
species are the Humpback (11-13m long), Minke (7-8 m long), Pothead (4.5-6m
long), Fin (18-23 m long), Sperm (10-15m long), and Blue (21-28 m long).
There are many others that bring excitement to young and old alike.
Watch them from the shorelines, cliff tops or take one of many boat tours
available for a chance to get up close and personal.
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The Bergs!
Ice! Ice! and more Ice! The majority of the icebergs that
drift south in the Labrador Current originate from  the glaciers of western Greenland. Commonly know as
"Iceberg Alley", a stretch of ocean traveling to the southern coast
of Newfoundland, there can be all sizes and shapes of these massive
"Bergs". Bays and coves along the coast of Newfoundland
become home to icebergs all summer long; some icebergs become grounded on the
ocean floor. Tourists from all over the world visit Newfoundland, with their
cameras, to view the wonders of these glacier giants.
Late spring to early summer is considered to be the peak season
for iceberg viewing. Can you imagine a piece of ice hundreds of feet
high and hundreds of feet long, and that is only 1/10 of what is under the
waters surface! Why imagine? Come see for yourself!
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Outports!
An outport was traditionally a port used by Newfoundland "shore" fishermen. It usually had
salt stores, fish sheds, "flakes", and a boat-building industry.
Outports can be visited almost anywhere along the costal shores of
Newfoundland. You will discover a refreshing lack of commercialism and
industry. Visiting a fish plant, local general store or one of many
National Historic sights will most certainly be a highlight. Then you
will discover the true riches of the Newfoundland, our people. We are rich,
and we know it. We have great cultural wealth an ability to "make
do" and "get by" with less, a great sense of optimism, sheer
"love of life" and a wonderful sense of humour. Go for a
drive and experience a true cultural experience.
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