Animals of Greenland: Arctic Wildlife Encounters

With a coast-to-cast ice cap, Greenland is not only the world’s largest island, but also a paradise for Arctic animal species. With a climate that harsh and extremely low winter temperatures, how can such a variety of animals thrive up there? Find out how Greenland wildlife has perfectly adapted its lifestyle to its environment and learn more about your favorite Arctic inhabitants! And it’s not only polar bears that you’ll find among the glaciers…

Terrestrial Animals

Polar Bear

The polar bear is the world’s largest land predator and the true king of the Arctic. It is the largest bear species on Earth, at an intimidating 3m (10ft) in length and 800kg (1,700lbs.) in weight. Though there is a large polar bear population in Greenland, bear sightings are extremely rare. They spend most of their time hunting on sea ice and only come ashore to give birth, or when the ice gets too thin. If you want to spot them, head to Northeast Greenland. You may also catch them roaming the entire east coast, down to Nanortalik (South Greenland).

Arctic Fox

The Arctic fox is commonly found throughout Greenland. There are two Arctic species: the blue fox and the white fox. These terrestrial mammals are genetically quite similar, but have very different lifestyles. The blue fox features a dark brown to greyish-black coat and prefers the coastal areas, where it feasts on delicacies such as fish, crustaceans, seabirds, seal cubs and even seaweed. Its white-furred relative is an inland-dweller, feeding on lemmings and Arctic hares. Arctic foxes grow a magnificent and thick winter coat, for which they are hunted by humans. The bes place to spot them is in Northeast Greenland National Park (the world’s largest national park), where they are protected and thus very curious toward people.

Arctic Hare

Arctic hares are representatives of iconic Greenland wildlife. The only other place on Earth to find them is northern Canada. They are related to Mountain hares, which can be found in other places further south, such as the northern UK. Generally, Arctic hares are widely spread all across Greenland, but you may need a little bit of luck to spot them, as they are very shy. During the winter months hundreds of them huddle together in large groups, while in summer you may see them travelling solo. They sustain on a vegan diet, feeding on grasses, herbs, bark and roots. They feature a beautiful white coat with black ear tips.

Greenlandic Reindeer (Caribou)

While the east Greenlandic reindeer went extinct in 1899, this tundra subspecies still inhabits the backcountry of western Greenland. Just like its extinct relative, it nearly vanished from Greenland, when populations dropped in the 1970s due to overgrazing, hunting and climate change. Fortunately, populations recovered and currently there are around 100,000 animals roaming Greenland’s tundra. In summer they feed on plant life such as grasses and leaves, while during the winter months they dig up lichen and mosses.

Musk Ox

Musk oxen are sturdily built with a large head and short legs. Their horns are curved downwards and resemble those of sheep and goats (to which they are closely related). You can find the largest musk ox population in north and northeastern Greenland in grassy plains, but also high up in the mountains. Just as other Arctic species, they are perfectly adapted to the cold climate. Their dense layer of wool keeps them warm even at temperatures as low as -45C (-49F).

Whales

Humpback Whale

Humpback whales are very common around Greenland and you can often spot them while whale watching between April and November. The seabed around Greenland is very rich in nutrients due to water flowing in from glaciers. This promotes an abundance of krill and fish life, which is the main food source of humpbacks. They are one of the largest baleen whales in Greenland, reaching up to 17m (56ft) in length. Did you know that humpbacks are known for the complex songs that they use for communication over great distances?

Fin Whale

These long and slender giants are the second largest animals in the world after blue whales. They reach lengths of up to 24m (79ft) and can weigh up to 90 tons. Females tend to be larger than males. You can find them around in West Greenland and East Greenland, north of the ice edge. They feed on krill and can dislocate their lower jaws, extending their throats (just like pelicans). This lets them hold more water in their mouths than their own weight!

Minke Whale

At only 10m (33ft) in length, they are among the smaller whales in Greenland. They are curious fellows and often approach boats, which makes for great whale encounters. You can spot them from May through October in fjords along the southern and western coast, all the way up to Disko Bay. Don’t be surprised if you spot them anywhere else in Greenland and at odd times: minke whales are known to pop up in unusual places and out of season.

Bowhead Whale

Bowheads have a barrel-shaped body, large head and curved mouth. Their huge heads are used to break through up to 1m (3ft) thick sea ice, which allows them to spend the winter around Greenland. They have the world’s thickest layer of blubber among animals (up to 60cm/24in) that keeps them warm. They can reach 200 years of age. From January to May, you can see them in Disko Bay and around the coastline of East Greenland.

Beluga Whale

It’s easy to tell belugas apart from other whales. Their white bodies have a flexible forehead, which allows for different facial expressions. Belugas are also very communicative and known for their iconic whistles, high-pitched chirps and calls. This vocal skill also got them the nickname the canary of the sea. During the winter months, you can see belugas off the western coast, while summer is spent in the Canadian Arctic. They are highly social and usually travel in pods ranging from a few animals to hundreds of whales.

Narwhal

While narwhals are close relatives of beluga whales, their distinctive appearance sets them apart from other whales. Featuring an up to 3m (10ft) long tusk, they are often called the unicorns of the sea. While tusks are seen mostly in males, up to 15% of female narwhals grow one as well. While it’s still a mystery to science what the tusk is used for, a popular theory suggests that it’s only an impressive accessory to impress females and intimidate other males.

Seals

Harp Seal

Harp seals (also called Greenland seals) are a marine species that is widely found in Greenland’s waters, except the far north. While adult seals feature a silver-grey fur color with iconic harp-shaped markings, newborn pups are white. The largest population of harp seals (at around 7 million) is found between Greenland and Canada. Most of the seals spend winters in Newfoundland and return to Greenland for the summer months. Compared to other seal species, harp seals are abundant in Greenland and their conservation status is of little concern.

Ringed Seal

The ringed seal is the smallest seal species in Greenland and recognizable by its ringed-shaped markings. Unlike other species, ringed seals can even be found at the North Pole. With a thick layer of blubber (which accounts for over 50% of their weight) and by maintaining breathing holes in thick sea ice, they are perfectly adapted to survive in the coldest regions of the Arctic.

Walrus

While walruses are related to sea lions and seals, they actually belong to a family of their own. They are giants among Greenland wildlife and can weigh up to 2 tons. You can easily recognize them by their large tusks. Walruses inhabit the northeastern coast and parts of western Greenland. Their thick skin and 10-15cm (4-6in) thick blubber keep them warm.

Hooded Seal

Hooded seals are the largest seal species in Greenland and can reach weights of up to 400kg (880 lbs.) You can usually find them in the southwestern parts of Greenland. They feature a greyish coat with dark spots and males possess a bladder on their heads that can be inflated when angry or agitated. Diving deeper than other seals, they feed on redfish, halibut and squid. In the past, their skins were traditionally used by Innuits for covering kayaks.

Birds

White-tailed Eagle

As Greenland’s largest breeding bird, the white-tailed eagle feeds mostly on carrion, Arctic hares, Arctic foxes, birds and fish. With a wingspan of up to 2.5m (8ft), it is slightly larger than other eagle species in the world. You can spot them in Greenland’s southwestern coastal regions, as well as Kamchatka (Russia). The nattoralik (as the white-tailed eagle is called in the Greenlandic language) has been a protected species since 1973.

Rock Ptarmigan

The rock ptarmigan is a seasonal color changer and a master of camouflage! With a white winter coat and brownish-grey plumage in summer, you can find it breeding all over Greenland in various terrain. Their summer coat allows them to blend in with the tundra landscapes, while the white winter attire lets them disappear in the snow. Ptarmigans know when to change their plumage (avoiding molting too early or too late in the season). Their molting schedules are determined by the amount of daylight throughout the year. And did you know that ptarmigans even grow their own snowshoes in winter? They grow feathers around their feet and longer claws to walk gracefully through the deep snow.

Atlantic Puffin

Standing at up to 32cm (1ft), the puffin (or sea parrot) belongs to the family of auks. Their cute appearance, with their signature triangular yellow and red beak, orange feet and white and black coloring, make them popular among bird lovers and photographers. Since the 1900s, the puffin population in Greenland was decimated and only started to recover in the 1960s, with the banning of egg collection. You’ll find them breeding on remote islands off the coast. Their large beak can hold several fish at a time, such as capelin (one of their favorite treats).

Snow Bunting

Snow buntings are migratory birds and arrive in Greenland during the spring, spending autumns and winters in North America and Russia. Male snow buntings arrive in northeast Greenland in early April, around 2-4 weeks ahead of the females. From May through July, you see the chalky white males and grey-brownish mottled females breeding in rocky areas throughout Greenland. Females build the grassy nests, while males help feed the chicks. With a size of up to 18cm (7in), they mainly feed on insects and seeds.

Greenland Wheatear

These birds are masters of migration. Considering their low height of only up to 17cm (7in), they cover amazing distances, arriving around April from sub-Saharan Africa to breed in Greenland. As a subspecies of the northern wheatear that inhabits Europe, Asia and Canada, the Greenland species is one of the most common breeding birds on the island. They prefer rocky terrain and breed in shrub heaths and mountain fields. These birds feed on small berries and insects.

Northern Fulmar

Hovering in the air close to water, they may look a lot like seagulls, but are actually northern fulmars. They feed by diving into the ocean to catch fish and shrimp. It’s the most spotted bird in Greenland’s waters and you usually see them at Disko Bay (western Greenland), in the northern coastal regions and in small parts on the east coast.

Black Guillemot

Dark colored during the mating season, black guillemots’ plumage changes during the winter. Their heads and undersides turn white, with only their backs keeping the signature black color. They usually breed in large colonies on rocky cliffs up to 230m (755ft) high. If you stumble across their breeding sites, you may be alerted by way too much noise to miss it: birds will aggressively guard their young ones and voice their disapproval with shrill whistles. You may also be chased and lunged at by angry parents. While they feed in coastal areas throughout the summer season, they forage along the edges of sea ice during the winter months.

Common Eider

This large sea duck is widely seen all over Greenland. Many of these birds overwinter in Greenland or the waters off Greenland’s west coast. They breed on small islands to avoid predators such as the Arctic fox. They feed on mussels, crustaceans, fish eggs and worms. They reach lengths of up to 71cm (28in) and are known to be the largest ducks in the Northern Hemisphere.

Fish

Atlantic Salmon

Late summer to early autumn is salmon season in Greenland! These agile and predatory silver colored fish can reach up to 120 cm (4ft) in length and weigh up to 30kg (66lbs.). Spending their lives at sea, Atlantic salmon return home to the same rivers that they were born in. Every 1-3 years they come home to spawn and you can find large numbers of them in Southern Greenland. During the spawning season, males (and some females) turn from silver to a bronze color. A small population of salmon, native to Greenland, spawns every year at the river Kapisillit in the Nuuk Fjord.

Arctic Char

While closely related to salmon, Arctic chars belong to the trout family. They are much smaller at only up to 90cm (3ft) in length and weights of up to 12 kg (26lbs.). These fish are masters of multi-coloring: during the spawning season, their bellies turn red or golden, at sea they are silver and during their time in freshwater they turn dark blue to greenish. Peak season to spot chars is July through September when they make their way up local rivers. After overwintering in lakes and rivers, spring marks their return to sea.

Cod

Cod is one of the most common catches when fishing in Greenland. While they can live for over 20 years and reach up to 30kg (66lbs.), they are mostly caught by anglers before reaching this age. There are three types of cod present in Greenland’s waters: the Atlantic cod, smaller Greenland cod and Arctic cod. Their greenish brown bodies with spots feature three dorsal fins, two anal fins and a barbell (sensory whisker) below the mouth.

Redfish

This brightly red fish lives in the deep waters, 50-1000m (up to more than half a mile) below the surface. Once you pull it out of the water, it dies instantaneously, with its eyes popping out due to the pressure difference. You can find it in fjords and areas north of Uummannaq and Tasiilaq. Red fish do not lay eggs, but give birth to live fry, usually around their prime spawning grounds in the Irminger Sea. Currents then transport the fry to southern and eastern Greenland.

Wolffish

With their giant heads, grim facial expression and three rows of prominent teeth, they may not be the most handsome fish in the Greenland Sea, but they make for an excellent delicacy on your dinner plate. There are three species in Greenland, distinguishable by their appearance: striped, spotted and blue. You can see them on the east and west coasts in rocky or sandy seabeds at depths of up to 1km (0.6 miles). And did you know that wolffish live in monogamous relationships? They share a common cave throughout their lives, can lay up to 10,000 eggs, and both parents tend to their offspring for up to four months!

Greenland Halibut

At first glance, the Greenland halibut looks like a deformed fish, with its left eye located on top of its head. At birth, fry look just like any other fish with an eye on each side of their head. With maturity, the left eye migrates up and its body becomes flat. As a bottom-dweller, the top eye may come in handy (looking upwards), whereas the right eye can see forward. It lives at depths of up to 2 km (1.2 miles) and feasts on fish, shrimp and octopus. It can also swim higher up in the sea, feeding on squid and polar cod. Greenland halibut is a very popular fish for consumption and is often air-dried outdoors on racks.

Capelin

Small and sleek with a shiny silver body and pointed head, the capelin is a local delicacy when dried. It reaches a length of up to 25cm (10in) and is used as industrial animal feed. Capelin feed on plankton and are a welcome food source for Greenland wildlife such as birds, seals and toothed whales. Between May and July, capelins gather in shallow water at the shorelines to lay their eggs. They can be so closely packed there that they are pushed out of the water onto the beaches.

Greenland Shark

Greenland sharks are considered the oldest vertebrate in the world, with an estimated lifespan of up to 500 years. At up to 6m (20ft) in length, they are also the largest sharks in the world. You’ll find them in the cold waters at depths of 2km (1.2 miles), sustaining on carrion, fish, squid and other marine mammals. The fresh flesh of the Greenland shark is poisonous but can be eaten when boiled or dried. It’s primarily used for dog food and in its fermented form is a prized delicacy in Iceland (hakarl).

Insects and Spiders

Butterflies

There are five species of butterflies in Greenland. Most often, you’ll spot the Arctic fritillary (orange color pattern with black spots and markings) and northern clouded yellow butterfly (yellow-green wings framed in pink). You’ll find the Arctic fritillary in dry mountain areas throughout Greenland, usually in flowery patches. Flight time for butterflies in Greenland is from late June through August and they are perfectly adapted to cold summers. Did you know that climate change over the past decades affected these butterflies? Earlier thawing of the snow and warmer summer temperatures resulted in local butterflies adapting with smaller body and wing size.

Bees

Only two bee species call Greenland their home: the Arctic bumblebee and the northern bumblebee. They may look alike, but are polar opposites when it comes to behavior. While the Arctic bumblebee is a social insect building communities in mounds of moss, collecting pollen and looking after its nest, the Northern bumblebee is a ferocious nest invader. It waits for the Arctic bumblebee to do the hard work of setting up the hive. It then invades the nest, kills the queen, lays its own eggs and has the Arctic bumblebee workers care for it.

Spiders

Arachnophobic travelers who may expect an Arctic island like Greenland to lack creepy crawlies may be disappointed. Greenland hosts around 70 species of spiders! The largest is the Greenlandic thin-legged wolf spider and measures around 1cm (0.4in). Look out for its dark grey hairy body with striped legs in East Greenland (e.g. at Emperor Franz Joseph Fjord), as well as at South and West Greenland (around Disko Bay). These spiders do not need a net! They are predators and catch small insects on the ground by paralyzing them with their venomous digestive fluids.

Beetles

The small 4-6mm (less than 0.2in) transverse lady beetle is the most widespread beetle in Greenland (with exception of the far northern regions). Its beautifully bright colors are an attempt to scare off predators (such as birds). You can spot it in dry dwarf birch heaths. The only other lady beetle in Greenland is even smaller and features a brown, black and hairy body. Another iconic local beetle is the aquatic diving beetle. It reaches a length of up to 17 mm (0.7in) and is widespread throughout Greenland, usually in lakes and water holes. They are predators and attack prey much larger than themselves, such as crustaceans!

FAQ

What is Greenland's national animal?

The iconic animal of Greenland is the polar bear and you can see it on the coat of arms of Greenland prominently in white on a blue background. It’s not official, though. Since Greenland is not technically its own country, but an autonomous territory of Denmark, it doesn’t have an official national animal.

What is the largest animal in Greenland?

On land, the polar bear is the largest animal among Greenland’s wildlife. In the ocean, blue whales (the largest of all whale species) are the largest animals around Greenland.

Are there dolphins in Greenland?

You can spot several dolphins in Greenland. Look out for white-beaked dolphins, common bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and killer whales (the largest species in the dolphin family).

Does Greenland have turtles?

Some sea turtles, such as the leatherbacks, migrate extensively through the world’s oceans and can even be found off the coasts of Greenland and Canada.

What predators live in Greenland?

Arctic species such as Arctic foxes, polar bears (the largest land predators in the animal kingdom) and Arctic wolves are land predators in Greenland. There are also ocean predators such as the Greenland sharks and predatory birds such as white tailed eagles.