Sweden
Moose
The Moose is the largest species of deer family and can be found throughout Sweden except on Gotland and the outer islands.
Moose have a diet that includes both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation. Unlike most other deer species, they are solitary animals and do not form herds. During their first year, the calves stay with their cow.
While Moose can be found throughout Sweden, they are not always easy to spot. If you are traveling through Sweden, do not expect to see Moose everywhere. Your best chance of spotting them is from your car window, but encountering a Moose while walking through a forest is much more impressive.
Here are some tips on how to see Moose in the wild:
Drive around open areas. During the summer, Moose venture out into open areas such as fields and meadows in search of food. This increases your chances of seeing them, especially during the evening.
Walk silently while hiking: If you prefer hiking, be prepared to walk for several days before you spot a Moose. Remember to walk in silence to avoid scaring them away.
Look near villages and towns: Moose that live close to villages and towns are used to people and are therefore less shy. You do not have to venture deep into the forest to spot them.
Join a guided Moose Safari: If you want to ensure that you see a Moose, join a guided Moose Safari. Experienced guides can take you to the best spots to see these majestic creatures.
Beavers
Beavers can be found in most rivers and lakes in central Sweden, but are less common in the northern parts of the country and south of Stockholm. Look for their characteristic gnaw marks on trees, especially aspen and birch, to find out if they are in the area.
Beavers are nocturnal and live close to water, so searching for them near a lake, river, or stream is the best option. To get closer without disturbing them, try approaching in a boat. Wait near their lodge at sunset and be patient for the best chance to see them. Dusk and dawn are when beavers are most active. You can also join a guided Beaver Safari to increase your chances of spotting one.
OTTERS IN SWEDEN
Want to see an Otter? They’re great little creatures!
Most Otters live by the rivers in Northern Sweden, but the population is also increasing in the South. Most otters live near fresh water, but can also live in marine environments along the coast.
A known hotspot for Otters in the wild is at Gysinge bruk by river Dalälven in Färnebofjärden National Park where you may be lucky to see them playing on the ice during Winter. As with most mammals they are mainly active at dusk and dawn.
Wolves
The Scandinavian Wolf population is mainly concentrated in the southern central parts of Sweden, specifically in the counties of Västmanland, Örebro, Värmland, Dalarna, and Gävleborg. Wolves are rarely found in the northern half of Sweden or in the southern regions.
Seeing Wolves in Sweden can be a challenging task as they are elusive and well-camouflaged. They tend to reside in dense forests, making it hard to spot them even if they are nearby. Additionally, Wolves travel long distances each day, making it difficult to track their movements. Instead of seeing a Wolf, hearing their distinctive howl may be more likely and just as rewarding.
Joining a professional Wolf tracker for a guided tour in a Wolf territory can increase your chances of experiencing this unique encounter. about 500
Bears
Bears are predominantly found in the northern two-thirds of Sweden, with the central regions of Dalarna, Gävleborg, and Jämtland having the highest population densities of bears in Sweden.
The Swedish Brown Bear population has grown to a number of at about 2800 individuals, distributed across the central and northern parts of Sweden.
If you wish to see bears in Sweden, it can be quite challenging, as European Brown Bears are timid, peaceful, and elusive in the wild. Some people are fortunate enough to spot bears as they graze on grass and herbs in open meadows and fields during May and June, prior to the berry season. Others may encounter bears in the mountains as they forage for berries during late summer and fall.
Your best bet for increasing your chances of seeing bears in the forest is to go with a professional wildlife tracker. These Brown Bear watching tours provide you with an excellent opportunity to observe and photograph bears in their natural habitat.
Bears are very shy and do not attack people, but should be respected and kept at a distance.
about 2800 Hides at Kungsberg
Wolverines
The Wolverine, which is perhaps the least known mammal in Sweden, can primarily be found in remote areas of Sweden's mountainous regions, such as Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Jämtland, as well as further south in the forested regions of Dalarna and Hälsingland.
If you want to see Wolverines in Sweden, be prepared for a challenge. Most people spot them from a distance by chance while skiing or snowmobiling in the mountains during winter, when they are easier to spot against the snowy white background. Bringing binoculars will help.
In recent years, the Wolverine population has grown and also spread southeast to forested areas in central Sweden, such as Gävleborg and Dalarna. One of the southernmost populations of Wolverines is located in Gyllbergen, Dalarna. This may be thanks to the comeback of Wolves who leave plenty of leftovers for Wolverines and other carnivores.
The wolverine is the largest terrestrial member of the weasel family. It is a larger cousin to otters, weasels and mink. The wolverine has a broad head, small eyes and short rounded ears with dark brown fur, and often has a lighter-colored face mask and stripe running down both sides of its body. The wolverine is powerfully built and has short legs with wide feet for traveling across the snow. The wolverine is a good tree climber and also a good swimmer.
Female wolverines give birth during winter in dens that provide security and a buffer to cold winter temperatures. These dens are generally tunneled through snow and are associated with uprooted trees, avalanche debris, and boulders, often in remote alpine cirques above tree line. about 700
Lynx
Lynx is perhaps the most difficult mammal to spot in Sweden. Few people ever get to see a Lynx in the wild.
Good news is that Lynx can be found all across Sweden. Some of the more densely populated areas are actually around Stockholm in Sörmland and Uppland and in Bergslagen.
How to see Lynx in Sweden: Lynx are most active around dawn and dusk, especially during early mornings. That’s also when most people tend to see them. If you walk through the forest and a Lynx sees you as a threat, the Lynx will likely climb a tree and wait for your to pass by. So it may be a good idea to look upwards once in a while as you stroll through the woods. But driving around peering across fields and meadows around sunrise is probably your best bet.
Norway
BEARS
in the Øvre Pasvik National Park, a thin sliver of land just south of the harbour town of Kirkenes and surrounded by Finnish and Russian forested territory.
West of here, in the stunning gorges and ice-bound forests of the Reisa National Park, you can find the Eurasian lynx, northern Europe’s only large cat species, and the wolverine, a fierce and furry carnivore.
POLARBEARS
Polar bears can be found in Svalbard near the coast where there is sea ice. Polar bears are the largest species of bear. A male polar bear can weigh between 300-700kg, whereas females are about half the size. The polar bear's main source of food is seals.
MUSK OX
Musk-oxen live in herds, these herds range in size from 8-24 individuals depending on the season. They can be found in the more mountainous areas of Norway. They feed on grasses, lichen, woody plants, mosses and will also eat Arctic willow. They breed in June-July and males will fight each other by charging at each other with their heads lowered until one of the males is defeated. They weigh up to 400kg but can reach speeds of 37mph (60kph)!
WHALES
Beluga Whale
Beluga whales are also known as white whales. They are found in the northern reaches of the waters around Norway and are often seen off the coast of Svalbard. They can be up to 5 metres long and weigh up to one and a half tonnes. They feed primarily on fish and crustaceans. They can be found most commonly in pods ranging in size from 2-20 individuals, though pods of up to 100 individuals have been recorded.
Killer Whale
There are thought to be around 3000 Killer Whales living in the Norwegian and Barents Sea around Svalbard. Males are usually larger than females with males growing to be up to 9m long and weighing up to 5.5 tonnes, whereas females grow up to just under 8m and can weigh up to just under 4 tonnes. They feed on fish, seals and other marine animals and will even attack blue whale calves in order to feed. They often work together to catch their prey, for example by herding fish into tight balls.
Sperm Whale
Sperm Whales can often be seen off the coast of Norway during the summer. They can be as large as 60 feet long and have the biggest brain size on earth. The sperm whale feeds mainly on squid (both colossal and giant), but will also eat various fish. They can dive up to 3,280 ft and can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes.
Puffin
The puffin is easily recognisable because of its short colourful beak. They can be found on and around the coasts of northern Norway. Their diet consists almost entirely of fish. They breed in late spring and either nest in burrows in the ground, or where soft ground isn't available will nest in rock crevices. The eggs are incubated by both parents for around 40-45 days.