Embark on a fascinating journey through Norway's pristine landscapes and encounter a wide variety of wildlife, from the majestic Steller's sea eagle to the shy deer, in their natural Nordic habitats.
Norway's forests and mountains not only offer stunning scenery and a wealth of outdoor activities, they also attract travelers who want to observe wildlife in their natural environment.
Although dwindling brown bear and wolf populations may be hard to spot, many of Norway's most iconic animals are surprisingly friendly. Now let's take a look at the details.
brown bear
The number of brown bears in Norwegian forests has decreased significantly. These bears hibernate throughout the winter, subsisting on berries, plants, and sometimes sheep during other seasons.
Øvre Pasvik National Park, located on the northeastern tip of Norway on the Finnish-Russian border, is one of the few places where brown bears are regularly observed.
Efforts to protect and monitor their populations are essential to ensure their presence as part of Norway's natural heritage.
polar bears in svalbard
Historically, polar bear skeletons have been found as far south as Stavanger, but currently Norway's polar bear population is confined to the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Circle.
A descendant of the brown bear, this fearsome creature quickly adapted to the harsh conditions of the Arctic. Their diet consists primarily of ringed and bearded seals, and they travel vast distances in search of food.
Polar bears are a major danger to both residents and visitors to Svalbard, and anyone leaving their residence is required to carry a firearm for protection.
Nevertheless, lethal actions against polar bears are strictly regulated and can only be used as a last resort when there is an imminent threat to human life.
In addition to these safety measures, there are ongoing research and conservation efforts aimed at understanding and conserving this iconic species.
Scientists continually study their habits, health, and habitat to measure the effects of climate change and human activity on their populations.
Travelers visiting Svalbard should respect these majestic animals from afar and practice safe and responsible wildlife viewing.
arctic fox
Arctic foxes are currently endangered with only a few hundred individuals remaining, but they face the greatest threat from the growing population of the larger red fox.
Small groups of arctic foxes are found in Svalbard, Borgefjell National Park, and Dovrefjell National Park, but rarely in the latter.
Highly adapted to extreme winter conditions, the arctic fox can withstand temperatures as low as -60°C thanks to its dense undercoat.
The arctic fox is famous for its striking white winter coat, but during the summer, its fur changes to a grayish-brown hue.
Moose (Moose)
Moose are widespread throughout Norwegian forests, but further north they are replaced by reindeer herds. Hunting is a popular pastime in Norway, and despite this, their numbers remain strong, exceeding 100,000 animals.
Antlered elk can be especially difficult to find. Only males have horns, and they shed their horns every year after the breeding season to store energy for the coming winter.
As herbivores, moose may not feel threatened, but their imposing size can be surprising, especially if you encounter them unexpectedly on a rural road. Adults can reach over 2 meters in height and weigh up to 725 kg.
deer
Deer, which can be identified by their reddish-brown fur during the summer, are widespread throughout Norwegian forests.
These herbivores, such as red deer and small roe deer, can reach a height of 1.2 meters. The males of these species are particularly notable for their impressive horns.
Known for their cautious nature, red deer and roe deer are both notoriously shy, blending into their natural environments to avoid close contact with humans, and are usually observed from a distance.
reindeer
Reindeer are an integral part of Sami culture, with herds grazing freely inland during the winter and migrating to coastal areas in the summer.
Although these animals are shy by nature, they are often seen meandering along country roads in the north and usually do not run away when approached. Travelers passing through Finnmark may encounter reindeer.
With a population of over 100,000 people, reindeer herding remains a sustainable practice. In northern Norway, reindeer meat is a staple of the local cuisine.
Although reindeer in the north are domesticated and owned by the Sámi people, wild reindeer can still be found roaming in the central Norwegian mountains, including Hardanger, Dovre and Rondane national parks.
musk ox
In addition to the glaciers of central Norway, musk oxen serve as a prominent reminder of the last ice age. Once nearly extinct, these animals were reintroduced to Norway from Greenland about a century ago.
Today, Dovre National Park is one of the few places in the world where musk oxen can be observed. Known for their dense fur and distinctive musky scent, male musk oxen are built to withstand harsh environments and can weigh over 400 kg.
Lynx
Resembling a large domestic cat, this elusive lynx inhabits woodlands throughout Norway. Typically over a meter long, these solitary predators prey primarily on birds, hares, rodents, and sometimes sheep.
With their keen eyesight and stealthy movements, lynxes are excellent hunters and are formidable predators despite their elusive nature. Humans rarely see them.
wolf
In the quiet expanses of the Norwegian forests, the elusive wolf often roams unnoticed. These apex predators control populations of deer and other animals and play an important role in ecological balance.
Rarely seen, wolves are revered for their mystique and social structure, captivating those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their shadow.
wolverine
The rugged terrain of the Norwegian wilderness is home to the wolverine, a solitary and ferocious creature. Wolverines are known for their strength and resilience, allowing them to travel long distances in search of food.
Despite their small size, they are formidable predators, often scavenging carcasses left behind by larger animals, and face harsh climatic conditions with remarkable perseverance.
Historically, wolverines were widespread throughout Scandinavia. However, from the 19th century to the 20th century, its range and population decreased significantly due to severe persecution.
By 1970, wolverines had all but disappeared from many areas and their numbers were extremely low. However, conservation policies have helped wolverine populations recover.
bird
Home to 470 bird species, including snowy owls, golden eagles and puffins, Norway is also a year-round birdwatcher's paradise.
White-tailed eagles are frequently sighted along the Norwegian coastline. These fearsome birds are often seen gliding majestically over cliffs.
Meanwhile, the lively and attractive puffin is a common sight on many of Norway's coastal islands throughout the breeding season.
seabird colony
The remote islands of Runde (off the coast of Ålesund) and Lost Island (near the Lofoten Islands) are home to important seabird colonies. From February to August each year, Runde is a popular nesting site for more than 100,000 birds, including kittiwakes, carpenter gulls, boobies and murres.
Despite its small area of only 10 square kilometers, Rost is home to large numbers of Atlantic puffins and supports a quarter of Norway's seabird population.
However, the challenge of finding enough food for their chicks has led to a significant decline in the numbers of these birds, plummeting from 1.5 million to just 350,000 over the past 35 years.
Another great place for bird lovers is the Jesvárstuppan Bird Cliff on Majeroja Island. Puffin populations remain strong here.
Here, on one of Norway's largest bird cliffs, puffins coexist with fulmars, kittiwakes, murres, black-bellied warblers and arctic gulls, providing an important and vibrant habitat for a diverse range of bird species.
More coastal wildlife
Norway's vast coastline is rich in marine wildlife and offers unique opportunities to observe a variety of species in their natural habitat.
Whale: The cold and nutrient-rich waters of northern Norway, especially around Tromsø, are famous for whale watching tours.
Killer whales and humpback whales are frequently sighted here, and the sight of them entering and feeding is a sight to behold. These tours give visitors a front row seat to some of the ocean's most majestic creatures.
sticker: Norway's rocky coast is an ideal resting place for seals. Both the common harbor seal and the larger gray seal are regularly seen lounging on rocks and fooling around in the water.
These marine mammals are common throughout Norway's coastline and can often be seen sunbathing or diving for fish.
Otter: Otters are fun to watch with their playful antics and curious nature. These highly adaptable animals are found in both freshwater rivers and coastal areas throughout Norway.
Known for their swimming and hunting skills, otters can be seen slithering into the water, grappling with each other, and munching on their prey.
norwegian red list
Norway's Red List includes more than 2,000 species at risk of extinction, including species as diverse as beetles and fungi to vascular plants and lichens, more than half of which are in forests. You can see it at.
Of these, 276 species are at risk of extinction, including the dry meadow honey bee Andrena hartorfiana, which is declining due to modern agricultural practices.
Basking sharks are also endangered due to overfishing, but intentional fishing is currently prohibited within Norway's economic zone.
Svalbard is home to 47 endangered species, including polar bears.
The list was compiled by 26 expert committees with over 100 members who evaluated over 20,000 species based on IUCN criteria.
