10 Fun Facts About Norwegian Animals

From residents to migratory species, Norway is home to 21,311 animals. Join us as we travel through the varied and unique habitat of the mainland and some of its 50,000 islands for some fantastic animal facts about the wild animals of Norway. 

1. Home to the biggest land predator 

Polar bears are the most dangerous animal in Norway. However, to see one,  you must head to Svalbard - an archipelago North of the Arctic Circle.  Summer is the best time to spot polar bears due to the ‘polar day’ - for 5 months of the year, Svalbard is in daylight 24/7.  

2.  30% of the world’s Atlantic puffins live in Norway

Residing along the cliffs surrounding the Atlantic Ocean and the Norwegian Sea, puffins spend most of their life at sea and come on land to breed and usually return to the same cliffs where they hatched

3. The spotted sea hare has an internal transparent shell and is coloured by the seaweed it eats 

This sea hare is registered in the North-East Atlantic Ocean, from Greenland and Norway to the Mediterranean.

4. Serpents play a big part in Norse mythology

The largest serpent of all time is the Midgard Serpent, Jörmundgandr. Jörmundgandr was one of Loki’s children. Oden was threatened by Jörmundgandr’s size and threw him into the ocean, he became so large that he encircled the Earth and bit his tale. Jörmundgandr is known for his role in Ragnarok. 

5. Norway is one of the best places in the planet to see orcas 

The fjords off of Tromsø have unique features helping orcas herd fish around the steep walls and narrow passages.

6. Hardangervidda National Park is the southernmost limit for snowy owls 

Did you know that snowy owls are not nocturnal? They can hunt at any time and are most active during the day during summer. 

7. 1.9 billion inverts enter Norway every year via plants 

Invasive species are considered one of the five most important drivers of global biodiversity loss.

8. Skrei travel 1,000 km to spawn in Norwegian waters. 

Skrei spend most of their life in the Barents Sea before heading to Norwegian shores. It is considered a delicacy in Norway and is only available Jan - April.

9. Leatherback tortoises store heat through movement keeping them warm in cold water

Normally an animal you would associate with warmer climates, the leather-back tortoise has been known to travel as North as Norway, sometimes bringing with it tropical fish. 

10.  Spitsbergen is home to the endemic Svalbard reindeer.

This species has developed adaptations to help them survive in the harsh polar biome. They are smaller and with thick hollow fur to help conserve heat and store air adding extra insulation.

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