Arctic Animals – The wildlife up in the North!
The Arctic is home to unique animals such Arctic foxes, bears, reindeer, lynx, moose, whales and many bird species. Check our tours and select the ones where you may be able to spot your favourite animal!
What is the Arctic and where is it located?
The Arctic is located in the Northernmost part of Earth and is considered a polar region.
It includes parts of several countries like Canada, Finland, Iceland, Russia, the USA (Alaska), Sweden, and Norway as well as Greenland.
This area can be defined as all areas north of the Arctic Circle (above 66° 34’N), where phenomena like the Midnight Sun and the Polar Night can be experienced.
What is the Arctic and where is it located?
The Arctic is located in the Northernmost part of Earth and is considered a polar region.
It includes parts of several countries like Canada, Finland, Iceland, Russia, the USA (Alaska), Sweden, and Norway as well as Greenland.
This area can be defined as all areas north of the Arctic Circle (above 66° 34’N), where phenomena like the Midnight Sun and the Polar Night can be experienced.
Which animals are in the Arctic?
The Arctic is known for its cold winters and cool summers, with long periods of sunlight or darkness and cold, snow-covered areas.
This habitat is preferred by animals that have adapted to these conditions such as the Arctic fox, reindeer, several species of whales, Arctic wolf, polar bear, and brown bear, among other fascinating creatures.
Which animals are in the Arctic?
The Arctic is known for its cold winters and cool summers, with long periods of sunlight or darkness and cold, snow-covered areas.
This habitat is preferred by animals that have adapted to these conditions such as the Arctic fox, reindeer, several species of whales, Arctic wolf, polar bear, and brown bear, among other fascinating creatures.
Which
Arctic
wildlife
can I see
in
Northern
Norway?
If we talk about mainland Norway, you can probably find many different creatures that you have never seen back home or in zoos.
This includes whales, bears, wolves, wolverines, and lynx.
In Northern Norway, you may be able to see most of them in the wild.
However, encountering them is rare because they like to hide from any human interaction.
In the Tromsø region, above the Arctic Circle, you can spot orcas and humpback whales feeding on herring in the fjords during the winter (approx. November to January).
You may wish to join one of our popular whale-watching tours (online bookings for winter season 2023/ 2024 opening soon) during this period and see these beautiful marine mammals and maybe others.
We really recommend this tour, which is one of our best sellers.
In the Tromsø region, above the Arctic Circle, you can spot orcas and humpback whales feeding on herring in the fjords during the winter (approx. November to January).
You may wish to join one of our popular whale-watching tours (online bookings for winter season 2023/2024 opening soon) during this period and see these beautiful marine mammals and maybe others.
We really recommend this tour, which is one of our best sellers.
If you would prefer to observe the Arctic fauna on land, and you are a reindeer lover, we have many tours where you can observe and even feed them!
If you are lucky, you may even spot reindeer wandering freely in Northern Norway like in forests or even on the roads (the island of Kvaløya near Tromsø is one such example).
The moose (aka elk) can also be found in forests or even close to roads, although they are much shyer.
If you would prefer to observe the Arctic fauna on land, and you are a reindeer lover, we have many tours where you can observe and even feed them!
If you are lucky, you may even spot reindeer wandering freely in Northern Norway like in forests or even on the roads (the island of Kvaløya near Tromsø is one such example).
The moose (aka elk) can also be found in forests or even close to roads, although they are much shyer.
Although it’s possible to spot other large predators like bears, wolves, lynx or wolverines in the wild in Northern Norway, it’s rare because they are also shy and tend to keep their distance from humans.
If you visit the Polar Park near Narvik, which is the world’s northernmost animal park, you can observe and learn about these predators, and many others, like the Arctic fox.
If you are in Tromsø, you can take the Arctic Route transportation from and back to Tromsø to go to the Polar park (with an entrance ticket included) here.
If you are worried about the well-being of animals, you can rest assured that this wildlife park puts a lot of emphasis on animal welfare.
They create habitats that are as natural as possible, so the animals have large areas to wander around.
The Arctic Route enables you to visit the Polar Park with transport from Tromsø and return on the same day.
Although it’s possible to spot other large predators like bears, wolves, lynx or wolverines in the wild in Northern Norway, it’s rare because they are also shy and tend to keep their distance from humans.
If you are worried about the wellbeing of animals, you can rest assured that this wildlife park puts a lot of emphasis on animal welfare.
They create habitats that are as natural as possible, so the animals have large areas to wander around.
The Arctic Route enables you to visit the Polar Park with transport from Tromsø and return on the same day.
If you visit the Polar Park near Narvik, which is the world’s northernmost animal park, you can observe and learn about these predators, and many others, like the Arctic fox.
If you are in Tromsø, you can take the Arctic Route transportation from and back to Tromsø to go to the Polar park (with an entrance ticket included) here.
We get this question frequently and unfortunately (or luckily!) the answer is no!
Norway’s mainland is too mild for these amazing creatures, which prefer colder areas with almost permanent ice.
If you want a chance to spot these animals, you should travel to Svalbard, an archipelago located north of mainland Norway.
Can I see polar bears in Tromsø?
Svalbard, which is part of Norway, has a population of around 300 polar bears.
They wander freely around the archipelago and can sometimes be spotted on boat excursions departing from Longyearbyen, the main settlement in Svalbard.
You can also spot other marine creatures in Svalbard like walruses, puffins, Arctic foxes, seals, and narwhals.
However, it’s important to remember that these are all wild animals, and spotting them is never guaranteed!
Can I see polar bears in Tromsø?
We get this question frequently and unfortunately (or luckily!) the answer is no!
Norway’s mainland is too mild for these amazing creatures, which prefer colder areas with almost permanent ice.
If you want a chance to spot these animals, you should travel to Svalbard, an archipelago located north of mainland Norway.
Svalbard, which is part of Norway, has a population of around 300 polar bears.
They wander freely around the archipelago and can sometimes be spotted on boat excursions departing from Longyearbyen, the main settlement in Svalbard.
You can also spot other marine creatures in Svalbard like walruses, puffins, Arctic foxes, seals, and narwhals.
However, it’s important to remember that these are all wild animals, and spotting them is never guaranteed!
The Arctic is home to unique animals such as reindeer, moose, whales and lots of different birds.
Check out this section if you want to visit a reindeer farm (and try reindeer sledding!), go on a whale-watching trip to see humpback and killer whales in their natural Arctic habitat, or try dog sledding, among other tours.
You can also visit Polar Park, the world’s most northern animal park, where you can observe muskox, wolves, and bears among others.
The Arctic is home to unique animals such as reindeer, moose, whales and lots of different birds.
Check out this section if you want to visit a reindeer farm (and try reindeer sledding!), go on a whale-watching trip to see humpback and killer whales in their natural Arctic habitat, or try dog sledding, among other tours.
You can also visit Polar Park, the world’s most northern animal park, where you can observe muskox, wolves, and bears among others.