Animals of the Laurentian Forest: A Family Guide

Wildlife you might encounter during your stay at Les Refuges Perchés

What lives in the Laurentian forest? The Laurentian forest is home to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that share the same trails, lakes, and wetlands surrounding our treehouses. Most animals stay out of sight, but their presence shows up everywhere. Tracks on a muddy trail. A splash near the shoreline. A sound you can't quite identify coming from the trees. Knowing what to look for makes every walk a small discovery.

Mammals of the forest

White-tailed deer White-tailed deer are one of the most recognizable animals in the Laurentian forest. They move quietly through forest clearings and are most active early in the morning or late in the evening. Imagine stepping outside your treehouse at dusk and spotting one standing still at the edge of the trees.

Black bears Black bears live throughout this region. During summer, they spend most of their time searching for berries, insects, and plants before going into winter hibernation. They are generally shy and avoid contact with people. Knowing they are out there, while rarely seen, is part of what makes the forest feel alive. There’s almost no chance of seeing them but if you’re lucky you may see signs. Look for claw marks on beech trees; they climb up to eat the nuts, or scat that you can identify with a web search.

Moose Moose are the largest mammals in the forest. They tend to stay near wetlands, where they feed on aquatic plants. Spotting a moose from a canoe or along a lake edge is one of those moments that tends to stay with you.

Smaller mammals Red foxes, snowshoe hares, eastern chipmunks, and red squirrels are all common in the Laurentians. Chipmunks and squirrels are often the easiest to spot, moving quickly through the underbrush while collecting seeds and nuts. Snowshoe hares are named for their large hind feet, built for moving across deep snow.

Birds you may hear before you see

Blue jays and chickadees Blue jays are easy to identify, bright blue, loud, and not particularly shy. Black-capped chickadees are smaller and give themselves away with their familiar "chickadee-dee-dee" call. Both are common near our treehouses and active throughout the day.

The pileated woodpecker In wooded areas, you may hear a loud, rhythmic tapping before you see anything. That sound usually means a pileated woodpecker is at work, drilling into a tree trunk in search of insects. This is a large bird with a bright red crest, hard to miss once you spot one.

The great horned owl After dark, the forest quiets down except for the deep, low call of the great horned owl. Listening for it at night from the deck of your treehouse is one of those small things that makes a stay in the forest different from a night in town.

The common loon Near lakes, the call of the common loon is one of the most distinctive sounds in the Laurentians, long, echoing, and unlike anything else. Once you've heard it, you don't forget it. We have resident loons on Lac Cordon.

Reptiles and amphibians near water

Frogs and toads Wood frogs are among the first animals to signal the end of winter. They gather in shallow ponds in early spring, and their calls can be heard across the water during breeding season. Green frogs are common along pond edges and streams throughout the warmer months. American toads prefer forest floors and gardens, and feed mainly on insects.

Eastern garter snakes The eastern garter snake is one of the most common snakes in the region. These snakes are small and generally found in grassy areas or near water. They are harmless and useful, they feed on insects, slugs, and small amphibians.

Snapping turtles Snapping turtles spend most of their time in ponds or lakes and occasionally surface near shorelines. They are slow on land but fast in water. Worth watching from a distance, they have a strong bite when they feel threatened.

Life in lakes and streams

Trout, bass, and crayfish Trout and bass are found in lakes and rivers throughout the region. Under rocks in shallow streams, you may spot crayfish, small freshwater crustaceans that move quickly along the bottom. Children tend to find them immediately.

Beavers Beavers are one of the most visible animals near water. They build dams from branches and mud, creating ponds that support a wide range of other species. Their lodges are often visible in calm sections of water. Imagine watching a beaver work at dusk from a canoe, it is one of the more memorable things the Laurentian forest has to offer. We have a resident beaver at time of writing. 

The insects that keep the forest active

Why insects matter. Insects are easy to overlook, but they keep the forest ecosystem running. Butterflies move between flowers. Dragonflies patrol near water and feed on smaller insects, including mosquitoes. Bees collect pollen and help plants reproduce. Beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and ladybugs each play a role that supports everything above them in the food chain.

How to observe wildlife without disturbing it

Watch from a distance. Animals should always be observed from a distance. Sudden movements and loud sounds cause them to leave. Walking quietly, using binoculars, and taking time to look closely at the environment around you leads to better observations than rushing through a trail. Check out “Leave no Trace” Information.

Look for signs, not just animals Even when animals stay hidden, they leave traces. Tracks in the mud or snow, scratch marks on a tree, a chewed branch near a pond, these are all signs that the forest around you is active. Learning to read those signs is its own kind of discovery.

Discovering wildlife during your stay

A stay at Les Refuges Perchés puts you close to all of this. Our treehouses are located at the edge of the Laurentian forest, near a lake and connected to trails where many of these species live year-round.

There is no guarantee of what you will see. That is part of it. What we can tell you is that slowing down, stepping away from the screen, and paying attention to the forest around you tends to turn up more than you expect.

Reserve your treehouse at refugesperches.com and bring the family guide with you when you explore the trails.