Predators

While there are not many predators roaming in the lands of the north, the few that inhabitate Lapland have to face long and cold winter to survive.

Brown Bear

Named Finland's national animal, brown bears are the largest predators in Lapland. Called « Karhu » in Finnish, they occupy a prominent place in Finnish mythology. They were considered sacred animals and were honored in many various ways. Still to this day, bears are considered the kings of the forest by the Finnish population. However, the probability of observing one is quite thin. Being very distrustful of humans, they live mainly in the forests of eastern Finland bordering Russia.

Wolf

Due to the damage they caused to reindeer farms, gray wolves have been feared and hunted extensively and have come close to extinction in Lapland territories. It is estimated that today, the wolf population is about 250 individuals in this region, with packs sometimes visible in eastern Finland, close to the Russian border.

Wolverine

At first glance, wolverines may seem harmless. They sort of look like smaller bears with a large head, rounded ears and short, strong legs with large semi-retractable claws. All in all, adult wolverines are no bigger than a medium size dog. However, one should be cautious despite their rather friendly appearence. Although short in size, they are some of the most ferocious animals in Lapland. They are not afraid to fight alone against bigger opponents like lynxes or wolves. Equipped with fearsome jaws, their reputation for ferocity is not a myth. They attack rodents, hares, foxes, birds, and animals much bigger than themself, such as wolves, reindeer or elk.

Lynx

Probably the most majestic animals of Lapland, lynxes are typically loners, with huge territories extending over up to 1000 square kilometers. Due to conservation efforts, the lynx has seen a comeback in recent decades.

Woodland Animals

As forests cover most of Lapland's territories, there are a countless wildlife populating this habitat.

Foxes

Red foxes and Arctic foxes can both be spotted throughout the year in Lapland. While red foxes are quite commmon and often seen crossing the long, lonenly roads of the north, arctic foxes are much rarer and in immediate danger of extinction due to global warming.

Elk

Elks are without a doubt the biggest animals you could encounter inside the forest. They are the largest and heaviest in the deer family. While being an impressive animal in size, the probability of encountering one is relatively small as they are shy animals that stay hidden all day long in the heart of Lapland’s forests.

Squirrel

Just like red foxes and mountain hares, red squirrels are some of the easiest animals to spot in Lapland. One could say that they are not very shy, as it is common to see them hanging out just outside of someone's window.

Hare

The mountain hare, also known as the blue hare or tundra hare, is able to change the color of its fur to blend in with the landscape. In winter, they are white as snow except for the tips of their ears which remain black. While they may be hard to see because of their white fur, they are always around and their tracks can be seen pretty much everywhere.

Reindeer

There is a total population of about 200,000 reindeers in Lapland, and every one of them belong to someone. They are easy to find, as there are many reindeer farms all over the region. However, reindeers are considered semi-wild animal as most of them roam freely inside northern territories. Therefore, it isn't rare to see one in the wild or crossing a road.

Birds

Birds are maybe the easiest way of encountering Arctic wildlife in action, especially in winter when most animals are wearing white or hibernating..

Siberian Jay

Distinctive by their magnificient orange tail, Siberian Jays are known for their social behavior. For hundreds of years, these birds have been companions to hunters in the woods of Finland.

Raven and Crow

Ravens and crows can be found virtually everywhere in Lapland, honking at each other all year round. Regarded as smart birds, they have coexisted with humans for thousands of years.

Ptarmigan

The Ptarmigans change color three times during the year. Indeed, their plumage varies with the seasons to match the environment In winter, both males and females are entirely white, making them very hard to spot on the snow, except for the tail, which remains black all year.

Golden Eagle

Another wonder of nature you can encounter during your stay in Lapland is the golden eagle. With big, powerful wings, they can soar high above the trees and spot preys with their sharp vision from kilometers away.

Owls

The Arctic is home to many different owl species, including the boreal, great grey, hawk, Ural and short-eared owl. But probably the most stunning is the snowy owl. Distinctive by its white camouflage, the snowy owl is active night and day, especially during summertime. While most owls are nocturnal birds, such an adaptation from the snowy owl is due to the fact that in the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets during the summer.

Wildlife you won't see in Lapland

Even though Lapland is home to a rich diversity of Fauna, there are misconceptions regarding some animals that can't be found in this region.

Polar Bear

Polar bears are basically marine animals, and Finland has no direct connection to the Arctic Ocean. The same goes for walruses, narwhals and seals.

Penguins and Puffins

Penguins are exclusive to the southern hemisphere. Therefore, there is no chance to see one on this side of the planet. Puffins, however, can be found in the northern hemisphere. Nonetheless, these seabirds are also found exclusively on coastlines. Iceland or other nordic countries with a connection to the ocean are a better destination to see these majestic creatures.