For much of its length, the French River is a broad, tree-lined expanse of open water. But it also features falls, rapids, and steep, narrow gorges. The rugged topography of the Canadian Shield supports more than 450 plant species … some of them rare. The river's mouth on Georgian Bay provides wetland habitat for perhaps the largest community of Virginia chain fern in the province. The Massasauga rattlesnake – the only poisonous snake in Ontario – is also found in this area. Deer, moose, elk and bear are some of the larger mammals in the area. Pileated Woodpeckers, ravens, Great Blue Herons and a variety of warblers are just some of the birds that can be found along the river’s shores.