The Wildlife of the Arctic
The Arctic has an amazing diversity of wildlife and an eco-system which has learned to survive and even to thrive in these unique conditions.
Visitors to the Arctic are always surprised to see vegetation from lichens and mosses to small shrubs.
The presence of greenery allows the Arctic to have a wider diversity of animals than the Antarctic.
Expect to see mammals and animals of all shapes and sizes, including some animals not found in the Antarctic, namely polar bears and Arctic foxes during your voyage of discovery.
Sailing out on the Arctic passages of water, you are rarely out of sight of snow-covered islands edged in places with sheer white cliffs of ice.
Where the ice scape meets the still cold waters, visitors will see plenty of wildlife such as polar bears.
Imagine the thrill of seeing a polar bear standing just a few feet away as you take photographs from the ship's deck.
It is one of many awesome moments which can only be experienced from a smaller Arctic expedition.
Experiences such as these seems to bring out the "inner explorer" in every guest.
The polar bear will be hunting his favourite meal the ringed seal.
These are the smallest seals although they still grow to about five feet in length.
They are easily recognized from the rings around its body.
Harp Seal pups are born white but soon develop a grey coat.
Watch their clumsy gait on land change when they reach the water and become excellent swimmers.
The toothed fangs and thick whiskers of the Walrus make these mammals easy to identify.
They may be seen lying on the ice floes and you will certainly hear them bellow to each other! The biggest thrill of any Arctic expedition is whale watching.
The Arctic is home to Belugas, Bowheads and Narwhals.
Narwhals have been over-hunted for centuries for their long ivory tusks.
Beluga whales are startling white and can be heard chirping, clicking and whistling.
You may even be privileged to see one smash the ice with its forehead and pop its head above the icecap to breath.
Fin, humpback, killer and pilot whales and the massive blue whale (measuring up to 33m -108 feet) can all be seen in waters around Greenland.
Smaller animals which will be spotted during excursions ashore include Arctic Hares.
Their snowy white winter coat turns brown or gray during the summer to blend in with the landscape.
Arctic Foxes similarly change their coat to blend in with the varying landscape.
Barely larger than a cat, they catch at least thirty lemmings per day to feed their large litters.
During your Arctic trip you may see packs of Wolves hunting, or maybe the rarer Wolverines which inhabit the area.
They are similar in size to young bear cubs and are strong and fierce.
The largest Arctic animals are the deer-like Caribou which migrate some 3000 miles between seasons in their search for summer grass.
Shaggy-coated Musk Oxen also live in herds and use their sharp curved horns to ward off wolves.
Once the winter snows begin to melt, thousands of species of birds arrive in the Arctic to nest.
An Arctic expedition is a birdwatcher's paradise with countless seabirds, waterfowl, song birds and terns arriving in flocks during May and June.
Large colonies of white Snow Geese make an incredible sight.
Pure white Snowy Owls, Ravens and Ptarmigans with their feathered feet have adapted to Arctic conditions and can be seen year-round.
As well as offering untold geological wonders and spectacular scenery, the Arctic will not fail to thrill and delight visitors, with countless experiences and sightings of animals feeding, courting and nurturing their young in their natural habitat.
Visitors to the Arctic are always surprised to see vegetation from lichens and mosses to small shrubs.
The presence of greenery allows the Arctic to have a wider diversity of animals than the Antarctic.
Expect to see mammals and animals of all shapes and sizes, including some animals not found in the Antarctic, namely polar bears and Arctic foxes during your voyage of discovery.
Sailing out on the Arctic passages of water, you are rarely out of sight of snow-covered islands edged in places with sheer white cliffs of ice.
Where the ice scape meets the still cold waters, visitors will see plenty of wildlife such as polar bears.
Imagine the thrill of seeing a polar bear standing just a few feet away as you take photographs from the ship's deck.
It is one of many awesome moments which can only be experienced from a smaller Arctic expedition.
Experiences such as these seems to bring out the "inner explorer" in every guest.
The polar bear will be hunting his favourite meal the ringed seal.
These are the smallest seals although they still grow to about five feet in length.
They are easily recognized from the rings around its body.
Harp Seal pups are born white but soon develop a grey coat.
Watch their clumsy gait on land change when they reach the water and become excellent swimmers.
The toothed fangs and thick whiskers of the Walrus make these mammals easy to identify.
They may be seen lying on the ice floes and you will certainly hear them bellow to each other! The biggest thrill of any Arctic expedition is whale watching.
The Arctic is home to Belugas, Bowheads and Narwhals.
Narwhals have been over-hunted for centuries for their long ivory tusks.
Beluga whales are startling white and can be heard chirping, clicking and whistling.
You may even be privileged to see one smash the ice with its forehead and pop its head above the icecap to breath.
Fin, humpback, killer and pilot whales and the massive blue whale (measuring up to 33m -108 feet) can all be seen in waters around Greenland.
Smaller animals which will be spotted during excursions ashore include Arctic Hares.
Their snowy white winter coat turns brown or gray during the summer to blend in with the landscape.
Arctic Foxes similarly change their coat to blend in with the varying landscape.
Barely larger than a cat, they catch at least thirty lemmings per day to feed their large litters.
During your Arctic trip you may see packs of Wolves hunting, or maybe the rarer Wolverines which inhabit the area.
They are similar in size to young bear cubs and are strong and fierce.
The largest Arctic animals are the deer-like Caribou which migrate some 3000 miles between seasons in their search for summer grass.
Shaggy-coated Musk Oxen also live in herds and use their sharp curved horns to ward off wolves.
Once the winter snows begin to melt, thousands of species of birds arrive in the Arctic to nest.
An Arctic expedition is a birdwatcher's paradise with countless seabirds, waterfowl, song birds and terns arriving in flocks during May and June.
Large colonies of white Snow Geese make an incredible sight.
Pure white Snowy Owls, Ravens and Ptarmigans with their feathered feet have adapted to Arctic conditions and can be seen year-round.
As well as offering untold geological wonders and spectacular scenery, the Arctic will not fail to thrill and delight visitors, with countless experiences and sightings of animals feeding, courting and nurturing their young in their natural habitat.
