Which animal is an official symbol of Canada?
Quick answer: The beaver. In our practice tests 92% of 85 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “The deer”.
Why is this the correct answer?
The beaver is an official symbol of Canada, recognized for its industriousness. It appeared on the first Canadian postage stamp in 1851 and reflects the fur trade that shaped early Canadian history.
Study Tip
Consider the animal that is often associated with Canadian history and the country's early development. It's a creature that was highly valued by early Canadian settlers.
What should you know about this topic?
The beaver is an official symbol of Canada. It was adopted as an emblem centuries ago by the Hudson's Bay Company, and in the 19th century it became an emblem of the St. Jean Baptiste Society, a French-Canadian patriotic group. Over time, it became a national symbol, and today it appears on the five-cent coin, on the coats of arms of the province of Saskatchewan and the city of Montreal, and in many other places.
The beaver's importance comes from the fur trade. Discover Canada explains that in the 1600s and 1700s, beaver pelts were in high demand in Europe for making hats. French and later English traders formed partnerships with First Nations to trade for furs, and the fur trade became the first major economic activity in what is now Canada. The Hudson's Bay Company, founded in 1670, was given exclusive trading rights over a huge territory draining into Hudson Bay.
The fur trade also led to exploration, the building of trading posts and the growth of the Métis people, who have mixed Indigenous and European ancestry. Other Canadian symbols include the maple leaf, the National Flag, the Crown, the Parliament Buildings, and Canada's national sports, ice hockey (winter) and lacrosse (summer). Related test topics include the fur trade, the Hudson's Bay Company and other national symbols. The beaver is a hard-working animal known for building dams.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- The deer: Deer are common in many parts of Canada, but they have no official role as a national symbol.
- The hawk: The hawk is a bird of prey found in Canada, but it is not a national symbol.
- The moose: The moose lives across Canada and is popular in images of the country, but it is not Canada's official animal symbol.
What is the most common mistake?
Learners often choose the moose because it is a large, well-known Canadian animal. The official symbol is the beaver, linked to the fur trade.
How can you remember the answer?
Look in your pocket: the beaver is on the nickel (five-cent coin).
Original data
How many people get this question right?
92% of 85 practice answers from about 66 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "The deer", chosen 4% of the time. The data covers practice tests on BecomeACitizen.ca from March 31, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
How hard is this question compared with others?
It is the 27th easiest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the Canadian Symbols chapter is 74% correct, and the average across all questions is 75%. You need 75% to pass the real test.
These are practice questions written from the official Discover Canada guide. IRCC does not publish the real test questions. See the full ranking in the 20 most-missed citizenship test questions or browse more Canadian Symbols questions.
Practice This Chapter
Test yourself with questions from Canadian Symbols. Timed mock tests, instant scoring, and detailed explanations.
Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the Canadian Symbols section of the Canadian citizenship test. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Discover Canada study guide. You need to score at least 75% (15 out of 20 correct) to pass.
This chapter has 24 questions in our database. Studying chapter by chapter is one of the most effective ways to prepare, as it helps you build deep understanding of each topic before moving to the next.
How should you study for the citizenship test?
Start by reading the complete how-to-pass guide, then work through each chapter in the study mode. When you feel ready, take a full exam simulation with the real 45-minute time limit.