Wildlife in Greenland

Wildlife in Greenland

Region: Arctic

Destinations: Greenland

Greenland wildlife of land, sea, and sky

The wildlife of ​Greenland is as exotic as it is diverse, featuring some of the most emblematic Arctic animals to be seen. In addition to the musk oxen, Arctic hares, and other animals you may spot on land, there are numerous whale species offshore and about 50 bird species on the island, such as gyrfalcons, snowy owls, barnacle geese, and pink-footed geese.

Land-based wildlife in Greenland

In terms of the island's terrestrial animals, you might enjoy sightings of Arctic hares, musk oxen, occasionally Arctic foxes, and (less occasionally) collared lemmings and ermines.

Arctic hares and musk oxen are among the more common Greenland wildlife we see during our shoreline and inland walks. Erroneously nicknamed "polar rabbits," Arctic hares are actually taller and have shorter ears than rabbits. Musk oxen, on the other hand, get their name from the musky smell given off by males during breeding season.

Greenland animals of the sea

The marine wildlife of Greenland is just as ample. Multiple whale species, such as fin, minkehumpback, narwhalbeluga (white whale)blue, and sperm whale are among the Greenland animals we sometimes see in the surrounding waters.

In fact, around this island is one of the few places we might see belugas. These marine members of Greenland's wildlife, nicknamed "sea canaries" for the sounds they make, were once nearly hunted into extinction. We are more likely, however, to see such whale species as fins, minkes, and humpbacks among the sea-based wildlife of Greenland.

Avian wildlife of Greenland

As for Greenland's airborne animals, there are some 50 bird species found around the island. These include Arctic terns, great black-backed gulls, razorbills, gyrfalcons, snowy owls, barnacle geese, and pink-footed geese, among many others.

Arctic terns are one of the most far-ranging fliers in the world, traveling an estimated 2.4 million km (1.49 million miles) in their lifetimes, so you might also see them if you go on an Antarctica cruise. Great black-backed gulls, on the other hand, usually stick closer to southern Greenland, so they're a bit rarer for us to spot. And Razorbills, members of the auk family, can also be seen in Northern Norway and Iceland.

Related cruises

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

A classic three island voyage: Ice, Inuit and Remoteness

PLA11-24 The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears, topped off with nighttime viewing of the Northern Lights.

m/v Plancius

m/v Plancius

Cruise date:

18 Aug - 31 Aug, 2024

Berths start from:

9800 USD

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

A classic three island voyage: Ice , Inuit and Remoteness

HDS12-24 The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears, topped off with nighttime viewing of the Northern Lights.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

25 Aug - 7 Sep, 2024

Berths start from:

7000 USD

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

A classic three island voyage: Ice , Inuit and Remoteness

OTL11-24 The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears, topped off with nighttime viewing of the Northern Lights.

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

29 Aug - 11 Sep, 2024

Berths start from:

9800 USD

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes
Up to $900 OFF

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

Witness the Northern Lights at Scoresby Sund

PLA12-24 The East Greenland – Scoresby Sund cruise crosses the Arctic Circle into the home waters of multiple species of whale. The expedition will spot huge icebergs as it journeys into the largest and deepest fjord system in the world. Along the way the Northern...

m/v Plancius

m/v Plancius

Cruise date:

31 Aug - 8 Sep, 2024

Berths start from:

3700 USD

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes
Up to $900 OFF

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

Witness the Northern Lights at Scoresby Sund

OTL12-24 The East Greenland – Scoresby Sund cruise crosses the Arctic Circle into the home waters of multiple species of whale. The expedition will spot huge icebergs as it journeys into the largest and deepest fjord system in the world. Along the way the Northern...

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

11 Sep - 19 Sep, 2024

Berths start from:

3700 USD

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