Europe, Iceland

Wildlife in Iceland: 5 exciting wildlife species

September 22, 2023
Adelina Bünte

Iceland is not only known for its northern lights and geothermal wonders, but also for its fascinating wildlife. In this article we will introduce you to Iceland's wilderness and 5 amazing wild animals that live in this environment. Explore the magic of Iceland's wildlife with us!

1. Whales

Iceland is one of the best destinations to observe whales in the wild. The waters around Iceland are rich in food and provide a habitat for various species of whales. On the menu of the wild animals is mainly fish. Whale species that you can see in the waters around Iceland include orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, fin whales and many other species. Iceland is also known for its sperm whales. These fascinating whales are the largest toothed whales.

Whale watching tours are offered in various coastal towns in Iceland, such as Reykjavik, Husavik and Akureyri. Here you can observe these beautiful wild animals in their authentic wild life.

Between April and September is the best time to watch whales in Iceland, because at this time the sea creatures are particularly active and are frequently sighted.

2. Puffin - the national animal of Iceland

Puffins are known for their colorful appearance with their distinctive black and white plumage and conspicuous beak. They belong to the genus of alcove birds. They are excellent swimmers and divers. They can dive up to 60 meters deep without any problems. While doing so, they hunt for fish. Puffins breed in colonies. They return to the same breeding sites every year and lay a single egg. They prefer to feed on small fish such as herring and sand eels, but they also catch crabs and squid. While watching the puffins, you will quickly catch sight of their elegant flight maneuvers. They can fly over the water at high speed, beating their wings rapidly.

Some of the Best placesto observe puffins in Iceland are:

1. Dyrhólaey on the south coast

2. Látrabjarg in the Westfjord

3. Ingólfshöfði on the south coast

4. Grímsey Iceland in the northern part of Iceland

5. Papey Island, a remote island in the east of Iceland

3. Arctic foxes

The Arctic fox is the only native mammal in Iceland. It has perfectly adapted to the extreme conditions of the Arctic region. Its thick, warming fur turns white in winter so that the cute arctic fox can camouflage itself in the snow-covered landscape. There is also a second variety: the blue arctic fox. But this one keeps its color, even in summer. The cunning foxes are perfect hunters. They feed mainly on rodents, birds and fish. They are also masters of adaptation. Neither the freezing cold in winter, nor the mild summer conditions bother them. In Icelandic folklore, the Arctic fox is known as a tricky and cunning character. It is often seen as a symbol of cunning and survival.

Good places to observe arctic foxes in Iceland include Hornstrandir in the northern Westfjords or the National Park Jökulsárgljúfur in the northeast of the country. There are also specialized tours that focus on the observation of Arctic foxes in Iceland, led by qualified guides.

4. Reindeer

Reindeer were introduced to Iceland from Norway in the late 18th century. They have lived wild in the remote regions of the island ever since. Icelandic reindeer are smaller than their mainland relatives and often have darker fur. They are excellent hikers and can travel long distances in search of food. Reindeer have no natural predators in Iceland. This has led to a sharp increase in their population in recent years. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, lichens, moss and other plants that grow in the mountainous regions.

Reindeer are not as common in Iceland as, for example, sheep or horses, as they live almost exclusively in the barren and difficult-to-access highland areas. They can only be found in the eastern fjords of Iceland, where wild herds roam the mountains.

5. Seals

Iceland is home to a large population of seals, especially along the coasts and fjords. They are known for their ability to live both on land and in the water. They spend a lot of time on rocks or sandbars and then dive into the water to search for food. Seals prefer to feed on fish such as herring, salmon or cod. The harbor seals in Iceland are curious and sometimes appear near people. However, it is important to observe the wildlife from a safe distance. Seals are protected animals in Iceland. So it is illegal to hunt them. Seals play an important role in Iceland's ecosystem.

If you want to observe the seals in their natural environment, you have the opportunity to do so in many places in Iceland. Popular places include the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the west or the area around the Vatnsnes peninsula in the north of the country.