From the mighty Polar Bear to the small Arctic Hare the Arctic region boasts of some of the most diverse and richest wildlife habitats to be found and that too on the most uninhabitable places on earth. Your guide to animals of the Arctic andwhere to find themThe Arctic covers roughly a sixth of the globe and nature enthusiasts have been exploring this area for more than a thousand years in search of the animals that live,hunt, breed to survive in this harsh environment. The best way to gain the best insight of this region is by a cruise which will allow you to explore this magical region, brimming with wildlife,both by land as well as by sea. Arctic holidays on the ocean will open up an entire new world to explore, both above and under the water, while the land-based excursions will take you to off-beat towns and villages where you can mingle with the locals and immerse in their rich culture and history in company of passionate knowledgeable experts. Best time to goThe long,dark and cold winter in the Arctic lasts for nine months,while the short summer spans the rest of the year. In such a scenario the best cruising season is limited to the months of June, July and August only. Due to the 24 hours of daylight because of the midnight sun, wildlife sightings are at their best,while for birding early August is recommended as some migratory birds begin their return journey to this place. Wildlife you can expect to seeWhile the chances of spotting a particular species always depend on being at the right place at the right time,the wildlife you are likely to encounter includes polar bear,seals,walrus,musk oxen,Arctic fox, Arctic Hare as well as a variety of birds and whales. Arctic animals and best places to spot them1. SvalbardThe Svalbard archipelago lies between Norway and the North Pole and turns into a haven for wildlife, especially during the summer months. Moreover,as the surrounding sea ice breaks up,navigating the fjords becomes easy and offers access to remote places that are home to some of the iconic animals. Some of these could include: Polar Bear Numbering around 3000 individuals,Svalbard is one of the best places on earth to see Polar Bears in their natural habitat as they hunt on the shores of the fjords. Atlantic Walrus Once hunted to near extinction,the Atlantic Walrus has recovered in numbers so significantly that it is almost certain that you will come across large groups in eastern parts of the archipelago. Reindeer This endemic species of reindeer have been living in Svalbard for over 5000 years and are distinguished by their short neck,small head and a thick winter coat that sets them apart from their other cousins. There is a good chance of spotting a few ,even before the start of the expedition from Longyearbyen. Bearded Seal These are the largest species of seal found in Svalbard,with females growing much larger than males and weighing close to 450 kg. Bearded seals can be easily spotted near floating icebergs or testing on ice packs all round the year. Guillemot Both the Brunnich’s and Common Guillemot are found in Svalbard.Their pronounced dark plumage and white underpants makes them easy to spot while nesting on the sheer cliffs of Svalbard. Some other bird species found here are Puffin,Arctic Tern,Ivory Gull,Rock Ptarmigan. Whales commonly found throughout the year in Svalbard include Minke Whale, Humpback Whale,Fin Whale,Blue Whale and Beluga Whale 2. GreenlandArctic wildlife in Greenland is also a big draw with visitors, though it is not the leading destination.That said the scenery and landscapes are reason enough to come to Greenland to spot some iconic animal species. Musk Ox Home to nearly 27,000 individuals, Greenland is home to the largest population of Musk Oxen which belong to the sheep family rather than the bovine. Musk Ox are found across the country but more so around Kangerlussuaq. Arctic Hare Besides Northern Canada, Greenland is the only place you can find the Arctic Hare. They live in large groups of up to one hundred individuals and grow a white fur in winter which turns brown in summer. Narwhal This is a rare and elusive marine animal that can be occasionally seen on the east and northwest coasts of Greenland and males are identified by their twisted tusks which protrude above their head for up to 3 m. Females, though,do not have a tusk. Arctic Char A member of the trout family,the Arctic Char is found all over Greenland and can be spotted in the rivers between July and September when they return from the ocean to spawn. Birds commonly found in Greenland are the White-Tailed Eagle and the Common Eider. Others include black guillemots and northern fulmars. 3. CanadaThe Canadian Arctic region may be one of the remotest on the planet but is still an excellent place to see an abundance of wildlife, especially during the warmer months. Some of the species endemic to Canada are: Arctic Wolf Native of the Canadian High Arctic region,the Arctic Wolf can be spotted in places like Churchill,Baffin Islands and the Nunavut Archipelago. Arctic Fox This small omnivorous land mammal has adapted well to the frigid temperatures of the Arctic and is found in North Canada and also in some parts of Svalbard and Greenland. They are seen quite frequently creating burrows in the snow for shelter Gyrfalcon This bird is the largest of its kind in the falcon family and breeds on the Arctic coasts in places like Baffin Islands and Ellesmere Islands. 4. RussiaRussia is another country where one can explore polar wilderness and some good species of Arctic wildlife. However the places where they are found are untamed and remote. Bowhead Whale The Russian Arctic is the best place to see whales and if you are lucky you can see the rare bowhead whale swimming in the ice cold waters near Franz Josef Land. Walrus Wrangel Island and Franz Josef Land are two prime locations to spot a walrus, especially the former which is home to the largest Pacific Walrus population in the world Beluga Known for the variety of sounds they make, Beluga are one of the few members of the whale family that can turn and nod their heads just as dolphins do. Beluga are found in the coastal areas close to the ice in Russia,as well as Svalbard and Churchill River in Canada..
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