The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)- the largest bird of prey
Among the most striking species is the white-tailed eagle. It is found in particular along the southern part of the west coast. The white-tailed eagle is a fully protected species in Greenland.
Among the most striking species is the white-tailed eagle. It is found in particular along the southern part of the west coast. The white-tailed eagle is a fully protected species in Greenland.
The fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) - the characteristic petrel
The fulmar is a compact little gliding bird which is often seen with stiff wings hovering just above the water, even when the sea is rough. The fulmar is the bird that is seen most frequently in Greenlandic waters, particularly at Disko Bay and further to the north.
The fulmar is a compact little gliding bird which is often seen with stiff wings hovering just above the water, even when the sea is rough. The fulmar is the bird that is seen most frequently in Greenlandic waters, particularly at Disko Bay and further to the north.
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
In spite of being 18 metres long and weighing some 30 tonnes, the humpback whale is the acrobat amongst the large whales. The whale is easily recognisable on account of its humped dorsal fin and white flippers, and it usually lifts its tail when diving.
In spite of being 18 metres long and weighing some 30 tonnes, the humpback whale is the acrobat amongst the large whales. The whale is easily recognisable on account of its humped dorsal fin and white flippers, and it usually lifts its tail when diving.
Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)
The bowhead whale is an Arctic species that typically frequents the seas around Disko Island in spring before setting course in the middle of May for the northern part of Baffin Bay, the sea between Canada and Greenland. The bowhead whale can live to an age of 200. The whale can weigh up to 90 tonnes and have a maximum length of 20 metres . Compared to all other whale species, the bowhead whale has the thickest layer of blubber (25-45 cm / 10-18 inches) and the longest whalebone (3.5 m /11.5 feet).
The bowhead whale is an Arctic species that typically frequents the seas around Disko Island in spring before setting course in the middle of May for the northern part of Baffin Bay, the sea between Canada and Greenland. The bowhead whale can live to an age of 200. The whale can weigh up to 90 tonnes and have a maximum length of 20 metres . Compared to all other whale species, the bowhead whale has the thickest layer of blubber (25-45 cm / 10-18 inches) and the longest whalebone (3.5 m /11.5 feet).
Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)
The narwhal is a medium-sized toothed whale that typically weighs between 800-1600 kg. It is most well-known for its distinctive spiralling tusk which in some males can reach a length of up to 3 metres - in addition to a body length of 4-5 metres . The tusks are used in mating combat, where the struggle can be so intense that the tusks sometimes shatter. In Greenland narwhals are most frequently seen in Melville Bay, in the area around Qaanaaq and in Northeast Greenland.
The narwhal is a medium-sized toothed whale that typically weighs between 800-1600 kg. It is most well-known for its distinctive spiralling tusk which in some males can reach a length of up to 3 metres - in addition to a body length of 4-5 metres . The tusks are used in mating combat, where the struggle can be so intense that the tusks sometimes shatter. In Greenland narwhals are most frequently seen in Melville Bay, in the area around Qaanaaq and in Northeast Greenland.
Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
The beluga whale is, like the narwhal, a medium-sized toothed whale. It has a length ranging from 3 to 5 metres and typically weighs between 400-1500 kg. The beluga whale is often seen in small groups of 5 to 10 animals, but has also been seen in groups of several thousands. The beluga whale can dive to depths of 600 metres for periods of up to 15 minutes. In Greenland beluga whales are seen between Maniitsoq and Disko Bay as well as at Qaanaaq and Upernavik.
The beluga whale is, like the narwhal, a medium-sized toothed whale. It has a length ranging from 3 to 5 metres and typically weighs between 400-1500 kg. The beluga whale is often seen in small groups of 5 to 10 animals, but has also been seen in groups of several thousands. The beluga whale can dive to depths of 600 metres for periods of up to 15 minutes. In Greenland beluga whales are seen between Maniitsoq and Disko Bay as well as at Qaanaaq and Upernavik.
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
The walrus with its large body and highly distinctive tusks is easily recognisable. Its tusks can grow up to 50 centimetres in length and are used by the walrus as a useful tool. The tusks are also used in self-defence when killer whales or polar bears attack the walrus, which can be up to 3 metres in length and weigh 1000 kg.
The walrus with its large body and highly distinctive tusks is easily recognisable. Its tusks can grow up to 50 centimetres in length and are used by the walrus as a useful tool. The tusks are also used in self-defence when killer whales or polar bears attack the walrus, which can be up to 3 metres in length and weigh 1000 kg.
The white and blue arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
In Greenland there are two races of the arctic fox, the white and the blue, which both change colour during the summer and winter. The white arctic fox's coat changes during the summer to a more mottled grey-brown shade on the back with grey and white tones on the belly. The blue arctic fox changes from a dark grey-brown summer coat to a grey-black coat in the winter with a bluish tinge.
In Greenland there are two races of the arctic fox, the white and the blue, which both change colour during the summer and winter. The white arctic fox's coat changes during the summer to a more mottled grey-brown shade on the back with grey and white tones on the belly. The blue arctic fox changes from a dark grey-brown summer coat to a grey-black coat in the winter with a bluish tinge.
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
The polar bear is the world's largest land-based predator, and is thus larger than other species of bear. It is a large bear, approximately the same size as the omnivorous Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi). A bear (adult male) weighs around 350–700 kg, while a sow (adult female) is about half that size. They are relatively easy to spot due to their off-white fur, which is clearly distinguishable against the pack ice or the landscape.
The polar bear is the world's largest land-based predator, and is thus larger than other species of bear. It is a large bear, approximately the same size as the omnivorous Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi). A bear (adult male) weighs around 350–700 kg, while a sow (adult female) is about half that size. They are relatively easy to spot due to their off-white fur, which is clearly distinguishable against the pack ice or the landscape.
The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)
The reindeer is a shy animal, and reacts very quickly to sudden sounds or movements as well as the smell of strangers. Once it catches your scent, the reindeer can gallop away at a speed of 70 kilometres an hour. However, if there is a large herd of reindeer, it is more likely that they will just continue chewing their food, as they feel more secure when many of them are gathered together.
The reindeer is a shy animal, and reacts very quickly to sudden sounds or movements as well as the smell of strangers. Once it catches your scent, the reindeer can gallop away at a speed of 70 kilometres an hour. However, if there is a large herd of reindeer, it is more likely that they will just continue chewing their food, as they feel more secure when many of them are gathered together.
The ringed seal (Pusa hispida)
The ringed seal is the smallest species of seal, and it can weigh up to 100 kg. The skin is characterised by ring-shaped markings, primarily on the dark grey back. It mainly lives in fjords where there are ice fells and in areas where the sea freezes in winter. Although the sea ice can be up to two metres thick, the ringed seal manages to keep a number of breathing holes open and thereby survive.
The ringed seal is the smallest species of seal, and it can weigh up to 100 kg. The skin is characterised by ring-shaped markings, primarily on the dark grey back. It mainly lives in fjords where there are ice fells and in areas where the sea freezes in winter. Although the sea ice can be up to two metres thick, the ringed seal manages to keep a number of breathing holes open and thereby survive.
The harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus)
The harp seal is the most common species of seal in Greenland. It comes to the southern part of Greenland in around May on its journey north from the breeding grounds around Newfoundland. On sailing trips in the fjords and archipelagos you can see groups of harp seals - perhaps 20-30 strong - frolicking on the surface of the water.
The harp seal is the most common species of seal in Greenland. It comes to the southern part of Greenland in around May on its journey north from the breeding grounds around Newfoundland. On sailing trips in the fjords and archipelagos you can see groups of harp seals - perhaps 20-30 strong - frolicking on the surface of the water.
The hooded seal (Cystophora cristata)
The hooded seal is the largest of the five species of seal with a weight of up to 400 kg. The male seals can be distinguished by a large bulge on their head which they can inflate when angry.
The hooded seal is the largest of the five species of seal with a weight of up to 400 kg. The male seals can be distinguished by a large bulge on their head which they can inflate when angry.