Species Spotlight
Acronym Adventure
Winter Wildlife
Snow and Ice Science
Winter around the world
100
This fish, iconic to Canada, hatches in freshwater, journeys thousands of kilometers to the ocean, and uses its keen sense of smell to navigate back to its birthplace to spawn.
What is salmon?
100
EOS
What is Ecosystem and Oceans Science?
100
This Canadian bird is famous for its long migrations, traveling from the Arctic to South America.
What is the Arctic tern?
100
This iconic winter weather phenomenon forms when water vapor freezes into intricate crystal shapes
What is a snowflake?
100
In which Canadian city is this winter festival, featuring the iconic mascot Bonhomme Carnaval, held each year
What is Quebec City?
200
This armored crustacean, a symbol of Atlantic Canada’s fisheries, grows by molting its hard shell and is considered a delicacy worldwide.
What is lobster?
200
SARA
What is the species at risk act
200
This furry rodent builds lodges under the ice to survive winter.
What is the beaver?
200
These slow-moving rivers of ice, found in Canada’s mountainous regions, carve valleys over centuries.
What are glaciers?
200
In this country, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with fireworks, dragon dances, and the giving of red envelopes. It marks the start of the spring season but is celebrated in the winter months.
What is China?
300
This endangered species, found in Canadian waters, has a population known as the "southern resident."
What is the killer whale/orca?
300
MPA
What is Marine Protected Area
300
This animal, Rudolph’s bigger cousin, uses its wide hooves to dig through snow for lichen and undertakes one of the longest migrations of any terrestrial mammal.
What is Caribou?
300
Found in Canada’s northern regions, this permanently frozen layer of soil poses challenges for construction as it thaws due to climate change.
What is permafrost?
300
The ice hotel IceHotel is located in this Scandinavian country.
What is Sweden?
400
Sometimes called the "unicorn of the sea," this Arctic whale is famous for the long, spiral tusk of its males.
What is the Norwhal?
400
FAIR
What is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable?
400
The hibernation of this small mammal is characterized by a dramatic drop in body temperature (to -3o C!!).
What is the ground squirrel?
400
This is the term for the underwater part of an iceberg, which makes up about 90% of its volume.
What is the keel?
400
This country has the coldest inhabited place on Earth, Oymyakon, where temperatures can drop to -50°C
What is Russia?
500
Known for its massive size, this filter-feeding shark is the largest fish found in Canadian waters.
What is the basking shark?
500
OCAP
What is Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession?
500
Some fish, like northern cod and winter flounder, produce this special protein that prevents ice crystals from forming in their blood, allowing them to survive freezing waters.
Hint: This protein is cold-resistant, but it’s not the same as the liquid that helps your car engine run smoothly in the winter.
What is antifreeze protein?
500
Snow and ice reflect most of the sunlight that hits them, helping to keep the Earth cool. What is the scientific term for this reflective property?
What is albedo?
500
In this country, the Sapporo Snow Festival draws tourists from all over the world to admire intricate ice and snow sculptures
What is Japan?