My first encounter with Alaskan animals 20 years ago was arguably my most memorable.
We were stopped at a light on the 6-lane highway leaving Anchorage when we saw a mama Moose crossing the road, with an upset calf who clearly had no interest in doing so. Traffic came to a standstill as the drama played out, and we cheered when the youngster finally followed.
It was the first of many incredible sightings of Alaska wildlife, which includes approximately 112 mammal species, 525 bird species, 14 species of whales and porpoises, and 3700+ other species of marine life.
From Alaskan tundra animals (including Caribou, Wolves, and Arctic Foxes) and Alaskan bears (Black, Brown, and Polar) to endangered species such as Steller’s Sea Lions and Humpback Whales, the wildlife of Alaska is thrillingly diverse.
As influential as my first trip to Denali National Park was on the work we do now with Green Global Travel, our recent small ship Alaskan cruises with AdventureSmith Explorations were equally impressive in terms of animal sightings.
Exploring the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Kenai Fjords National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, and the Inside Passage, we saw more than 50 different animals that live in Alaska.
So here’s a guide to some of the most intriguing Alaskan animal species, including many of our favorite wildlife images from our latest trip.
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ALASKAN ANIMALS GUIDE
- Alaskan Birds
- Alaskan Bears
- Other Land-Based Alaskan Animals
- Alaskan Whales & Porpoises
- Other Alaskan Marine Animals
ALASKAN BIRDS
1. AMERICAN BALD EAGLE
Latin Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Habitat: Wetlands,coasts, and marshes across North America
Size: Length: 28 to 40 in; Weight: 6.6 to 14 pounds
Diet: Fish, waterfowl, small mammals
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
Though the United States national bird may be a rare sighting in the lower 48, Alaskan Bald Eagles are fairly ubiquitous.
They’re found in the state’s southern coastal areas all year-round, and along inland lakes and forests in summer.
We saw four of these beautiful birds of prey (which can grow up to 40 inches long) during a 3-hour raft float down the Kenai River, and countless others in Kenai Fjords and Glacier Bay National Park.
The mostly brown juveniles are easily confused with Golden Eagles, as they don’t get their distinctive white head and tail feathers for four to five years.
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2. BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Latin Name: Bucephala islandica
Habitat: Shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, marine coastlines
Size: Length: 16.9 to 19.1 in; Weight: 2.4 to 3 pounds
Diet: Aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, pondweeds
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
One of more than a dozen different species of Alaskan ducks found in the state’s many lakes and rivers, the Barrow’s Goldeneye rivals the Harlequin Duck among our favorite Alaskan birds.
Where the male Common Goldeneye has a jewel-tone green head, the Barrow’s Goldeneye is a gorgeous royal purple, with a white crescent below its yellow eye and a black-and-white back.
Females of both species are mottled gray, with tawny brown heads. We saw this mating pair near the Pedersen Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park.
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3. BLACK OYSTERCATCHER
Latin Name: Haematopus bachmani
Habitat: Rocky coasts and shorelines stretching along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California
Size: Length: 16.5 to 18.5 in; Weight: 1.1 to 1.5 pounds
Diet: Mussels, limpets, shellfish, crabs
Conservation Status: Near Threatened, population increasing
One of Alaska’s most striking shorebirds, the Black Oystercatcher has an all-black body with a long red bill, red-ringed yellow eye, and pink legs.
You’ll typically find them wandering along the state’s rocky seashores, where they use their thick beak to pry and break open the shellfish they love to eat.
They can grow up to 18 inches tall, and have a loud, piercing whistle-like call. We saw this next to the lagoon in front of the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
READ MORE: 15 Beautiful Birds of the Galapagos Islands
4. COMMON MURRE
Latin Name: Uria aalge
Habitat: Northern oceans, large bays near the coast
Size: Length: 15 to 16.9 in; Weight: 1.7 to 2.5 pounds
Diet: Fish, squid, crustaceans
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
This species’ biggest claim to fame is that it is often mistaken for a Penguin due to its similar, tuxedo-like coloration.
The Common Murre, which grows up to 17 inches long, is actually shaped more like a duck, but with a longer more slender bill.
During our time in Alaska we only saw them in the open water, usually in large groups swimming in a line or v-formation. We saw this group while cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage.
READ MORE: Penguins of Antarctica
5. COMMON RAVEN
Latin Name: Corvus corax
Habitat: Open forests and coastal cliffs across western and northern North America
Size: Length: 22.1 to 27.2 inches; Weight: 1.5 to 3.6 pounds
Diet: Animal matter, beetles, caterpillars, rodents, lizards
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
Held as sacred among the indigenous Tlingit people, these humongous birds are anything but common when seen up close.
Frequently sighted along the coast (we saw quite a few of them while walking the streets of Juneau), they can grow up to 27 inches long. They boast a low, but loud croaking call that will definitely get your attention.
With its uniformly black feathers, shaggy head, and prominent bill, it’s easy to see why the Raven inspired Edgar Allen Poe’s famous gothic poem.
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6. PELAGIC CORMORANT
Latin Name:Urile pelagicus
Habitat: Coasts, rocky bays along western North America
Size: Length: 20.1 to 29.9 in; Weight: 3 to 5.38 pounds
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, small fish, amphipods
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population decreasing
One of the more common Alaskan birds, this is one of three cormorant species found in the state. You’ll often see their nesting colonies on the rocky ledges of coastal cliffs.
Growing up to three feet, the Pelagic Cormorants’ crests are subtle, but can be identified by their orange throat patch, slender neck, and hooked bill.
You may also see them with their wings spread wide as they dry out in the sun. We spotted these nesting in Glacier Bay National Park.
READ MORE: Flightless Cormorant Mating Dance (Video)
7. GULLS
Latin Name:Larus glaucescens
Habitat: Northern Pacific Coast
Size: Length: 20 to 27 in; Weight: 1.61 to 3.73 pounds
Diet:Fish, chitons, clams, mussels, sea urchins
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
There are at least four different Gull species commonly spotted in Alaska. The most unique of these is the Bonaparte’s Gull, which is small and has a black head, thin bill, and reddish legs.
The most abundant is the Black-legged Kittiwake, which also has black-tipped wings and which you can expect to see every day.
Others include the Glaucous-winged Gull (which are common in coastal areas) and the Herring Gull (which are usually seen near inland lakes and rivers).
READ MORE: 30 Amazing Galapagos Islands Animals
8. PINE GROSBEAK
Latin Name: Pinicola enucleator
Habitat: Coniferous forests
Size: Length: 7.9 to 9.8 in; Weight 1.8 to 2.8 oz
Diet: Seeds, buds, insects
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population decreasing
This resident species’ striking coloration may lead you to mistake it for a Cardinal from a distance, but up close the Pine Grosbeak looks much more like a Finch.
Growing up to 10 inches long, the male is rosy red with black wings, while the female is grey with a greenish head and rump.
Both have a black, cone-shaped bill, and are commonly seen at Alaskan bird feeders all throughout the year.
We saw this handsome male feeding alongside a female on a road inside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
READ MORE: How to Attract Birds to Your Garden
9. PUFFINS
Latin Name: Fratercula artica
Habitat: Northern Atlantic coast during breeding season, open ocean otherwise
Size: Length: 10.2 to 11.4 in; Weight: 10.9 to 19.4 oz
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, mollusks
Conservation Status: Vulnerable, population decreasing
There are two species of Puffins in Alaska, but they’re fairly easy to tell apart. The Horned Puffin has a white belly, an orange Parrot-like bill, and a distinctive black, fleshy “horn” above each eye.
The Tufted Puffin is mostly black, with long tufts of golden feathers that curl back from either side of its head.
Both are commonly seen in coastal waters, where they can “fly” underwater to feed on fish. We saw them fairly often throughout our Alaskan cruises in both Kenai Fjords National Park and the Inside Passage.
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10. RED-THROATED LOON
Latin Name: Gavia stellata
Habitat: Arctic in tundra and taiga lakes and along marine coasts
Size: Length: 25.2 to 26.8 in; Weight: 2.75 to 5.4 pounds
Diet: Fish, shrimps, mussels, frogs, insects
Conservation Status: Least concern, decreasing
Of the five species of loons in Alaska, the Red-throated Loon is arguably the most attractive.
Its head is medium gray, with a white-flecked black back, vertical black-and-white stripes on its nape, and a rusty red throat patch.
Like other loons, they can dive up to 250 feet to hunt for fish. They typically inhabit lakes and the Arctic coast in summer, and the southern Alaska coast in winter.
We saw this mating pair in a lagoon near the Pederson Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park.
READ MORE: 20 Largest Lakes in the World by Continent
11. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
Latin Name: Selasphorus rufus
Habitat: Forest edges and clearings, mountain meadows
Size: Length: 2.8 to 3.5 in; Weight 0.1 to 0.2 oz
Diet: Nectar and insects
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population decreasing
The only commonly-seen species of hummingbird in Alaska, these tiny beauties nest in the southern part of the state, migrating to Mexico in winter.
Growing just 3.5 inches long, the females are greenish on top and reddish-brown below, with a vibrant red throat patch.
You can find them in urban areas and around flowers in alpine meadows, but we had one come right by the boat during our small ship cruise of the Inside Passage.
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12. SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER
Latin Name: Charadrius semipalmatus
Habitat: Sandy beaches, lake shores and marshes in northern North America
Size: Length: 6.7 to 7.5 in; Weight: 1.6 to 1.8 oz
Diet: Insects, worms, crustaceans
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
Typically found along Alaska’s southern coastal areas, the Semi-palmated Plover is a beautiful brown shorebird.
They often nest along beaches, and will become persistently vocal if you get too close to their nesting area.
They’re identified by their white throat and breast, a black band around its neck, and a black-tipped orange bill. They use the latter to probe in mud and sand in search for the invertebrates on which they feed.
We saw this one scrounging on the beach near the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
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13. SNOWY OWL
Latin Name: Bubo scandiacus
Habitat: Arctic tundra in Eurasia and North America
Size: Length 20.5 to 27.9 in; Weight 3.5 to 5.6 pounds
Diet: Lemmings, ptarmigan, waterfowl, small rodents
Conservation Status: Vulnerable, population decreasing
Now commonly associated with Harry Potter, the Snowy Owl generally prefers marshes and tundra in the Alaskan Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
But they’re increasingly migrating further south in winter, when their food sources tend to get more scarce.
Growing up to 27 inches long, these big, beautiful birds are mostly white, but with head, chest, and wings spotted with black bars. They’re one of the few species of Owls you may actually get to see hunting during the day.
READ MORE: Tundra Animals in Churchill, Manitoba
14. TRUMPETER SWAN
Latin Name: Cygnus buccinator
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, rivers, coastal bays
Size: Length: 54.3 to 62.2 in; Weight: 16.9 to 28 pounds
Diet: Stems, leaves, roots of aquatic plants, insects
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
One of two species of swans found in Alaska, the Trumpeter Swan is larger than the Tundra Swan, growing to over five feet from bill-tip to tail.
Both species can be found in all sorts of water– lakes, marshes, ponds, and rivers– and both are all-white.
Other than size, the only easy way to tell them apart is their bill (the Tundra Swan’s is black) and their call. The Trumpeter’s is low and distinctively horn-like, while the Tundra’s is high and sounds like a “whoop.”
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15. WILLOW PTARMIGAN
Latin Name: Lagopus lagopus
Habitat: North American tundras
Size: Length: 13.8 to 17.1 in; Weight: 1.2 to 1.47 pounds
Diet: buds, twigs, seeds, leaves
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population decreasing
The official Alaska State Bird, the Willow Ptarmigan is commonly referred to as a “bush chicken,” due primarily to the fact that nearly all Alaskan predators (including humans) like to eat them.
Short and stout, with feathers even on their toes, these birds change colors with the seasons.
Males are reddish brown and white in summer, while females are mottled brown, but both turn mostly white in winter to help them stay camouflaged on the snowy tundra.
I saw this one (and many others) during my Denali National Park trip back in 1999.
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ALASKAN BEARS
16. BLACK BEAR
Latin Name: Ursus americanus
Habitat: Coniferous and deciduous forests across North America
Size: Height: 2 to 3 feet Length: 4.2 to 6.25 feet; Weight: 200 to 600 pounds
Diet: Grasses, berries, insects, fish
Conservation Status: Least concern, population increasing
Though not quite as large as Brown Bears or Polar Bears, Alaskan Black Bears are an intimidating presence in many of the state’s forested areas.
Our tour guides frequently advised us on safety procedures in bear country, including always hiking with a buddy, carrying bear spray, talking loudly so that you don’t surprise them, and never running if you encounter a bear in the woods.
We saw them numerous times during our latest trip to Alaska, including several loners wandering in Kenai Fjords National Park and a mama bear with two adorable cubs along the Steep Creek Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier.
Despite their name, these omnivores can actually range in color from black and brown to cinnamon and even shades of blue (for camouflage near glaciers).
READ MORE: Black Bears in Alligator River NWR, North Carolina
17. BROWN (GRIZZLY) BEAR
Latin Name: Ursus arctos
Habitat: North America tundra, alpine meadows, coastlines, woodlands
Size: Height: 2.3 to 5 feet; Length: 5 to 7 feet; Weight: 300 to 700 pounds
Diet: Grass, berries, nuts moose, elk, reptiles, honey
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
My personal favorite Alaskan animal, Brown Bears are noted for their size (up to seven feet), humped shoulders, and massive feet with razor-sharp claws.
There are three subspecies in Brown Bears in Alaska: One inhabits coastal areas and feeds mostly on salmon, while Grizzly Bears are found inland and further north (especially Denali National Park) and are smaller due to a more plant-based diet.
The more isolated Kodiak Island Bear subspecies is the largest terrestrial carnivore in the world.
READ MORE: Denali National Park, Alaska (America’s Last Frontier)
18. POLAR BEAR
Latin Name: Ursus maritimus
Habitat:Arctic coastal areas
Size:Height: 4.4 to 7.9 feet; Length 5.9 to 9.8 feet; Weight 900 to 1,600 pounds
Diet:Seals, whale carcasses, walruses, narwhals
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Polar Bears are technically classified as marine mammals because they spend most of their lives floating on sea ice, from which they hunt for Seals and other prey.
Pregnant females create dens and hibernate from November through March, but males are active all year-round.
They’re most often seen on Arctic and sub-Arctic shores in October and early November, when they’re in a state of waking slumber.
Polar Bear fights during this time are frequent and rarely draw blood, but help to establish a hierarchy for feeding and mating rights.
READ MORE: Polar Bear Fight in Churchill, Manitoba
OTHER LAND-BASED ALASKAN ANIMALS
19. AMERICAN BEAVER
Latin Name: Castor canadensis
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams in the continental United States
Size: Length: 2.4 to 3 feet; Weight: 24 to 71 pounds
Diet: Tree bark, roots, leaves, wetlands plants
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
While you may not actually spot an Alaskan Beaver during your visit, you’ll almost certainly see their handiwork if you go rafting, canoeing, or kayaking down any major river or stream.
These large (up to four feet long), brown rodents use their remarkable teeth to fell trees into the water, gradually building elaborate dams.
They’re most active at dawn and dusk, when they emerge to feed on aquatic plants, bark, and grass, slapping their tails on the water as a warning if danger is imminent.
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20. ARCTIC FOX
Latin Name: Vulpes lagopus
Habitat: Arctic and alpine tundra
Size: Height 9.8 to 12 in; Length 2.3 to 3.6 feet; Weight: 3.1 to 21 pounds
Diet: Lemmings, rodents, fish, birds, eggs, seaweed
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
Smaller than their red cousins, Arctic Foxes are perfectly adapted to their frigid habitat (which ranges from Alaska and Arctic Canada to Russia and Scandinavia).
They have stout little bodies, stubby appendages, and remarkably thick fur.
They also boast forward-facing ears that help them hunt by hearing prey (including birds, hares, lemmings, and squirrels) under the snow.
When they leap high in the air and pounce through the snow, it’s an artfully acrobatic feat you’ll never forget.
READ MORE: Amazing Animal Facts (Animal Olympians)
21. BISON
Latin Name: Bison bison
Habitat: River valleys, prairies, grasslands
Size: Height: 5.5 to 6.5 feet; Length: 9 to 12.5 feet; Weight; 1,800 to 2,400 pounds
Diet: Grasses, flowering plants, lichens, woody plant leaves
Conservation Status: Near threatened
Most people associate Bison (which are confused with, but technically not a species of Buffalo) with Yellowstone National Park and parts of Canada.
But the species was introduced to Alaska back in 1928, and there are now several different herds in the state that number in the hundreds.
The world’s largest terrestrial mammal, male Bison in Alaska can weigh more than a ton. They’re typically seen grazing in meadows, open woodlands, and river valleys.
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22. CARIBOU
Latin Name: Rangifer tarandus
Habitat: Arctic tundra and boreal forests
Size: Height: 2.8 to 4.9 feet; Length 5.3 to 7 feet; Weight 180 to 400 pounds
Diet: Lichen, mosses, herbs, ferns, grasses
Conservation Status: Vulnerable, population decreasing
Caribou in Alaska, which are also known as Reindeer, are easily identified by their large antlers (which grow on both sexes), shaggy neck fur, and light rump patches.
They were originally introduced to the area as a food source during the 19th century gold rush. Now they’re found in the state’s forests and tundra, where their huge hooves help them find solid footing on ice and snow.
There are more than a million Reindeer in Alaska, where herds numbering up to 350,000 animals migrate 900+ miles from where they calve in summer to warmer areas in winter.
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23. DALL SHEEP
Latin Name:Ovis dalli
Habitat: Meadows, steep slopes, alpine areas in the subarctic mountain ranges of Alaska
Size: Length: 3.5 to 4.6 feet; Weight: up to 300 pounds
Diet: Grasses, broad-leaved plants, sedges, willows
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
As with the Caribou, both male and female Dall Sheep have horns. But the male’s are considerably more massive and coiled.
They often implement them for intense head-butting competitions, which are used to establish a hierarchy of dominance for mating purposes.
Dall Sheep in Alaska are typically seen on cliff edges in mountainous regions, where their white coats stand out in striking contrast to the dynamic green and gray landscapes.
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24. GRAY WOLF
Latin Name: Canis lupus
Habitat: Tundra, forests, grasslands
Size: Height: 2.2 to 2.7 feet; Length: 3.9 to 6.6 feet; Weight 51 to 180 pounds
Diet: Deer, elk, bison, moose, beavers, rabbits
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
Easily the largest of Alaska’s canine species, the Gray Wolf can grow to six feet and comes in colors ranging from white to black and all shades in between.
They’re found in approximately 85% of the state’s wilderness areas, living in packs of two to 30 animals.
The Wolf is one of the most difficult species of wildlife in Alaska to see, but I lucked into having one emerge from the woods right by our shuttle bus through Denali National Park. It was a magical, but VERY brief, experience!
READ MORE: Endangered Species that Mate for Life
25. MOOSE
Latin Name: Alces alces
Habitat: Northern regions of the United States, forested areas with streams and ponds
Size: Height: 4.6 to 6.9 feet; Length: 7.9 to 10 feet; Weight: 440 to 790 pounds
Diet: Leaves, twigs, shrubs, bark
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
I call the Alaskan Moose “the Camels of the tundra,” because they tend to be of a similar size (up to 9 feet tall), body type (huge, with long, thin legs and a pendulous snout), and disposition (ornery and unpredictable).
The Moose is the official Alaska State animal. But most Alaskans we met were even more wary of Moose than Bears.
They tend to be found in forests near shallow water sources, but we saw a female in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge right alongside the road, feeding on dandelions.
Females with young calves are extremely aggressive, and should be avoided at all costs.
READ MORE: The Moose Whisperer & The Coolest Moose in Sweden
26. MOUNTAIN GOAT
Latin Name: Oreamnos americanus
Habitat: Alpine regions of North America
Size: Height: up to 3.5 feet; Length: 4.75 to 5.8 feet; Weight: 100 to 300 pounds
Diet: Grasses, lichens, herbs, mosses, ferns
Conservation Status: Least concern, population stable
From a distance (which is usually how you’ll see them) you might mistake a Mountain Goat in Alaska for a Dall Sheep, since both are white, grow up to six feet, and prefer mountainous areas.
But the goat has longer, shaggier fur and short, straight black horns. They prefer high alpine meadows in summer, only going down towards the tree line in winter.
We spotted quite a few in the hills of Kenai Fjords National Park and Glacier Bay National Park’s Gloomy Knob area, including this mama goat with a baby climbing on her.
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27. MUSKOX
Latin Name: Ovibos moschatus
Habitat: Arctic tundra
Size: Height: 4 to 5 feet; Length: 4.4 to 8.2 feet; Weight: 500 to 800 pounds
Diet: Mosses, lichens, roots, grasses
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
Large and stocky, with long hair and prominent horns, these imposing cow-like creatures grow up to eight feet.
Though the native Muskox population in Alaska was hunted to extinction in the 1800s, a herd was introduced from Greenland in the 1930s.
Today there are thousands of Muskox in Alaska, including a domesticated farm in Palmer, a research project at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, and wild herds roaming in western areas such as Bethel and Nome.
READ MORE: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Photo Gallery)
28. RED SQUIRREL
Latin Name: Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Habitat: Broadleaf and coniferous forests
Size: Length: 11 to 14 in; Weight: 7 to 18 oz
Diet: Seeds, nuts, bark, insects, fruits
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
A common sighting in Alaska’s forests, the Red Squirrel is actually a rusty olive color with a white belly and a fluffy reddish-orange tail.
You’ll likely hear their noisy chatter before you see them scurrying quickly through the forest to gather their winter supply of berries, nuts, and seeds.
Look for burrows around the base of trees, where they typically hide their cache of food.
READ MORE: The 20 Biggest Forests in the World
29. SITKA BLACK-TAILED DEER
Latin Name: Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis
Habitat: Wet coastal rainforests of Southeast Alaska and north-coastal British Colombia
Size: Height: 4 to 5 feet; Weight: 80 to 120 pounds
Diet: Leaves, shrubs, stems of woody plants
Conservation Status: Data deficient
Found primarily in the coastal rainforests of southern Alaska, the Sitka Black-tailed Deer is relatively small, averaging under five feet tall.
The species changes in coloration to help them stay camouflaged, from reddish-brown coats in summer to gray in winter.
Males shed their antlers annually between January and March.
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ALASKAN WHALES & PORPOISES
30. BELUGA WHALE
Latin Name: Delphinapterus leucas
Habitat: Arctic and subarctic waters
Size: Length 13 to 20 feet; Weight 2,000 to 3,000 pounds
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, worms
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Usually found in coastal waters and shallow bays, this small (around 13 feet long on average) white whale has a pronounced forehead filled with fatty tissue (called the melon).
The Beluga Whale is also known as the “sea canary” because of its distinctive high-pitched squeaks, squeals, and whistles, which it uses to find prey and communicate with others.
The subpopulation of Alaska’s Cook Inlet is considered endangered, and is currently protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
READ MORE: North Atlantic Right Whale Facts
31. BOWHEAD WHALE
Latin Name: Balaena mysticetus
Habitat: Arctic and subarctic waters
Size: Length 49 to 59 feet; Weight: up to 220,500 pounds
Diet: Plankton, copepods, euphausiids
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
Although we never saw a Bowhead Whale during our two weeks in Southeast Alaska, the species deserves special mention as Alaska’s State Marine Mammal.
They earned this distinction because they’re the only whales in Alaska that spend their entire life in Arctic waters. Bowhead Whales have also historically been an important food source for the indigenous people of Alaska’s northwestern coastal communities.
Growing up to 60 feet long, Bowheads have an unusual arched jaw and a mouth/head that can be up to 1/3 of their total body length.
READ MORE: 40 Fascinating Facts About Blue Whales
32. DALL’S PORPOISE
Latin Name: Phocoenoides dalli
Habitat: North Pacific Ocean
Size: Length: 6.5 to 7.5 feet; Weight: 230 to 270 pounds
Diet: Small schooling fish, cephalopods, crustaceans
Conservation Status: Least Concern
One of two kinds of porpoise we saw in Alaska (the other being the more dull-colored Harbor Porpoise), the Dall’s Porpoise looks a bit like a tiny (7-foot-long) Killer Whale.
It has a shorter snout and a stockier body than a dolphin, with black coloring offset by a big white belly patch.
They usually travel in pods ranging from 2 to 20 animals, and are fond of playing in the wake of ships (which is where we saw them during our Inside Passage cruise).
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33. HUMPBACK WHALE
Latin Name: Megaptera novaeangliae
Habitat: All major oceans (except polar seas) in open and shallow coastline waters
Size: Length 48 to 62.5 feet; Weight 80,000 pounds
Diet: Krill, plankton, small fish
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population increasing
These gentle giants (which can grow up to 50 feet long) are often seen close to shore along Alaska’s southern coast during their summer migration season.
You usually only get glimpses of their humped backs and small dorsal fins as they dive to feed on small schooling fish. But every so often one will show you their long flippers or tail flukes, which are usually white.
Despite many whale watching tours, I’ve only ever seen them breach from a distance. Listen for their haunting calls when the water is calm.
READ MORE: Whales That Live in Antarctica
34. Orca (a.k.a. Killer Whale)
Latin Name: Orcinus orca
Habitat: All major oceans
Size: Length 23 to 32 feet; Weight 12,000 pounds
Diet: Fish, penguins, seals, sea lions, whales
Conservation Status: Data deficient
Though they’re commonly known as the Killer Whale, Orcas are not actually a whale at all, but a member of the dolphin family.
The “killer” part comes from the fact that pods of up to 40 Orcas will hunt large marine animals as a pack, almost like “sea wolves.”
With their long black dorsal fins and white-spotted eyes and bellies, Orcas in Alaska are a fairly common sight in Kenai Fjords National Park, the Inside Passage, and other Alaskan waters.
READ MORE: Southern Resident Killer Whales
OTHER ALASKAN MARINE ANIMALS
35. ALASKAN KING CRAB
Latin Name: Paralithodes camtschaticus
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters off of southwestern Alaska
Size: Length: 4.9 5.9 feet; Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Diet: Clams, worms, sponges, algae,
Conservation Status: Data Deficient
Second only to Sockeye Salmon among the state’s most valuable commercial species, the Alaskan King Crab lives up to its name by growing up to a whopping five feet wide.
Typically found in waters up to 200 feet deep, these big red wonders have pointy spikes covering most of their heads, six legs, and claws.
The right claw is usually much larger on adult crabs, and often used as a weapon during fights. Their meat is widely considered a delicacy, and often sells for $30-$40 per pound.
READ MORE: 60 Weird Animals Around the World
36. HARBOR SEAL
Latin Name: Phoca vitulina
Habitat: Coastal Atlantic and Pacific Waters
Size: Length 4.9 to 6.2 feet; Weight: up to 375 pounds
Diet: Fish, shellfish, crustaceans
Conservation Status: Least Concern
One of the most difficult species of wildlife in Alaska to photograph, Harbor Seals (a.k.a. Leopard Seals, due to their spotted coats) are shy but plentiful.
We saw many of them throughout the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, and Kenai Fjords, particularly around icebergs and “berglets” (as National Park Ranger Rebekah Weirda liked to call them).
They’re easiest to see on the ice floes, where they go to rest and bear their young away from the watchful eyes of predators.
READ MORE: 30 Antarctic Animals You Can See on an Antarctica Cruise
37. STELLER’S SEA LION
Latin Name: Eumetopias jubatus
Habitat: Coastal waters of the North Pacific Ocean
Size: Length: 7.75 to 9.25 feet; Weight: 1,000 to 2,500 pounds
Diet: Fish, octopus, squids
Conservation Status: Near Threatened, population increasing
Also known as Northern Sea Lions, these pinnipeds can grow to 10.5 feet long and weigh 1000+ pounds, with males up to three times as large as females.
Around 70% of these endangered animals inhabit the waters around Alaska, gathering seasonally to breed and raise pups in rookeries used year after year.
We saw several Steller’s Sea Lions in Kenai Fjords National Park that had been tagged as part of a scientific study on their declining population numbers.
READ MORE: Swimming with Sea Lions (Galapagos Islands)
38. SALMON
Latin Name: Oncorhynchus nerka
Habitat: Fresh water streams, lakes and estuaries
Size: Length: 18 to 31 inches; Weight: 4 to 15 pounds
Diet: Plankton, squid, eels, shrimp
Conservation Status: Least Concern, population stable
Alaskan Salmon is not only the state’s #1 commercial export, but they’re also a huge tourism draw once fishing season opens.
We heard tales of the Kenai River being lined with hundreds of fishermen standing shoulder-to-shoulder during peak season, occasionally competing with the bears for their catch.
In addition to Sockeye (or Red Salmon), Chinook (King Salmon), Coho (Silver Salmon), and Pink (Humpbacked) Alaskan Salmon are also popular.
READ MORE: Fishing Mobile Bay & the Mobile-Tensaw Delta
39. SEA OTTER
Latin Name: Enhydra lutis
Habitat: Coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia
Size: Length: 3.3 to 4.9 feet; Weight: 31 to 99 pounds
Diet: Clams, mussels, sea urchins, snails
Conservation Status: Endangered, population decreasing
Although they may look cute and small from a distance, these adorable Alaskan animals can actually grow to reach 6 feet long and more than 70 pounds.
Unlike its cousin, the Northern River Otter, the Sea Otter only inhabits saltwater (preferably kelp beds close to rocky coastlines).
Most of the Sea Otters we spotted were lying on their backs, eating, sleeping, or carrying their young. They’re also known to use stones to crack open the Sea Urchins and shellfish on which they feed.
READ MORE: Hairy-Nosed Otter (Endangered Species)
40. SEA STARS
Latin Name: Asteroidea
Habitat: Tidepools, coral reefs, and deep sea of all oceans
Size: Length: 5 to 10 inches; Weight: up to 11 pounds
Diet: Mollusks, clams, oysters, mussels
Conservation Status: Data deficient
We learned just how many different types of Sea Stars (a.k.a. Starfish) there are in Alaska during a walk along the shore of Kenai Fjords National Park at low tide.
The Bat Star was my favorite: Growing up to 10 inches, with short arms and wide bodies, Bat Stars range in color from white to vibrant orange and red.
My daughter loved the striking patterns of the Ochre Sea Stars pictures above, which are a common sight in tide pools and range from yellow and orange to purple and brown. –Bret Love; photos by Allie Love & Bret Love unless otherwise noted
Our trip to Alaska was partly hosted by AdventureSmith Explorations. But our opinions remain our own, and we will never compromise our integrity to our readers. To learn more about planning an Alaskan Vacation, contact AdventureSmith Explorations at 877-720-2875 or travel@adventuresmithexplorations.com.
