Wildlife of
Norway

A coastal Scandinavian country, Norway — officially the Kingdom of Norway — is awash in wildlife. Farms carpet the lower mainland, while high mountains, lakes, tundras, rivers, wetlands, and a sea coast cover the rest. Skerries and fjords provide additional marine ecosystems where thousands of Norway animals make their homes.

Norway Geography

Norway is a long, thin country in Europe’s Scandinavian region. Its territory extends north of the Arctic Circle and 32 percent of the mainland sits above the treeline. Verdant agricultural lands blanket the southern mainland, and the Scandinavian Mountains run up the nation’s spine.

Svalbard, an archipelago midway between Norway and the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean, is also part of Norway. First used as a whaling base in the 1600s and 1700s, it’s an important breeding ground for seabirds, and more polar bears live on the islands than people. A conservation haven, Svalbard has seven national parks, 23 nature preserves, and 60 percent is covered in glaciers.

Norway’s Animals

Though the number is constantly in flux since scientists make new discoveries yearly, about 21,311 species spend time in Norway. Some live in the Scandinavian country year round; others come for the summer.

Norway Species Breakdown

• Birds: 526
• Insects: 16,000
• Fresh-water Fish: 45
• Fresh-water Invertebrates: 1,000
• Mammals: 90
• Marine Fish: 150
• Marine Invertebrates: 3,500

Norway Animals: Avifauna

According to the last count of the Norwegian Ornithological Society, 525 avifauna species — aka bird species — whizz through Norway’s friendly skies. Additionally, eBird added one more to the list in 2018, making the current number 526. Many birds only spend the summer months in Norway and head to southern Europe and North Africa for the winter.

Of the 526 bird species in Norway, 244 are accidental and four were introduced by humans, including the Mandarin duck.

One of Norway’s standout birds is the Atlantic puffin. With their long, colorful beaks and clownish faces, the distinct birds look like they came from the mind of Barry Leighton-Jones. To catch a glimpse, head to Vesteralen between early June and mid August when 300,000 of them flock for breeding season.

Norway is also home to the white-tailed eagle, which almost went extinct in the 1800s. But thanks to successful conservation efforts, the majestic bird has made a comeback. Today, the best place to see them is the Gjesvaestappen Nature Reserve.

A Nod to Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III: Decorated Military Penguin

Nils Olav is a distinguished member of the Norwegian King’s Guard — and he’s a penguin!

In 1972, to commemorate the first successful South Pole expedition led by a Norwegian, the country’s King’s Guard adopted a King Penguin from the Edinburgh Zoo and named him Nils Olav. At first, the flightless bird held the rank of lance corporal. Since then, Nils Olav — of which there have been three to date — has climbed the ranks. Today, his official title is Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III!

Norway Animals: Mammals

Norway is filled with large, hooved mammals like moose and deer, as well as elk — or “elg” as it is referred to in Norwegian.

Muskox are also plentiful in northern regions, and if you happen upon the cloven ungulates, with their long, shaggy coats and stubby horns, you’ll better understand why they’re known as “ugly moose.” People with sensitive noses should stay away from muskox during mating season when males emit a pungent pheromone to attract the ladies. The stench may smell divine to female muskox, but a lot of humans find the odor overpowering.

Reindeer are also native to Norway. Some live domesticated lives in Sami villages; other populations roam wild in Randone and Hardangervidda National Parks.

Eurasian lynxes, with their spike tufts of ear hair, are the only big cats in Norway.

Other Common Mammals in Norway

• Shrews
• Bats
• European Hedgehog
• European Rabbit
• European and Mountain Hares
• Beaver
• Red Squirrel
• Brown Bear
• Badger
• Weasels
• Ermines
• Wolves
• Wolverines
• Foxes

Norway Animals: Marine Mammals

Scores of large marine mammals make their homes in Norway’s oceans. Six seal species and 30 whale ones — including white, beaked, sperm, and baleen — can be spotted off the Norwegian coast. Dolphins and porpoise are also plentiful in the region.

When is the best time to go whale watching in Norway? Between late May and mid September.

Norway Animals: Reptiles and Amphibians

Being so far north, Norway isn’t filled with reptiles and amphibians — but it does have some. Six terrestrial reptile and six amphibian species reside within Norway’s borders. From time to time, leatherback sea turtles, the largest extant turtles, hoist themselves onto coastal beaches, and loggerhead sea turtles, which can weigh up to 1,000 pounds — occasionally waddle onto shore.

Northern crested newts, which resemble mini stegosauruses during mating season, can also be found in Norway.

Endangered Animals in Norway

The Norwegian Red List details 2,355 Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species, in addition to 1,235 listed as Near Threatened, including:

• Arctic Fox
• Eurasian Otter
• Pool Frogs
• Lesser White-Fronted Goose
• Atlantic Puffin
• Steppe Eagle

Global warming and habitat destruction are the two biggest threats for Norway’s endangered animals.

National Animal of Norway

Officially, Norway has several national animals.

• The moose is the main national animal of Norway.
• The lion is Norway’s national royal animal. Denmark’s current ruling family is the House of Glücksburg, and Harald V is the current king.
• White-throated dippers are the country’s national bird.
• Fjord horses are the nation’s national horse.

The Largest Animal in Norway

The largest animal in Norway is the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), a variety of pinniped which is known for the tusks which enable it to heft its weight on the sea ice. Capable of tipping the scales at a whopping 4,400 lbs, walruses are pretty much the largest seals in existence. The sole exceptions are elephant seals, their only relatives capable of relegating them to the background in the size stakes. (The latter are capable of reaching 11,000 lbs in weight.)

The story of Norway’s walruses is one of a spectacular comeback. Especially since their population experienced a steep decline as a result of three centuries of continuous hunting for their tusks. They became a protected species and hunting them was prohibited. By 2006, they numbered 2,629. Twelve years later in 2018, that number had more than doubled to 5,503.

The nation’s walruses can be found in the Svalbard archipelago where they spend their spare time hanging out with each other and searching the water for clams with their sensitive whiskers.

The Rarest Animal in Norway

The Arctic fox is one of Norway’s rarest animals. Also known as Vulpes lagopus, it is recognizable by its snowy white coat and golden eyes with dark irises and is commonly found in Børgefjell, Longyearbyern in Svalbard, and Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Parks.

An omnivore, this wild canid enjoys a varied diet of berries, fish, insects, lemmings, seabirds, seal pups, and seaweed. The Arctic fox pays special attention to the issue of shelter and builds extensive burrows capable of extending as far as 11,000 square feet, which several generations of pale-furred canids get to live in.

About 50 breeding adults were found to live in Norway in 2015, a number which had increased to 300 in less than a decade, by 2021. However, it is worth noting that several hundred thousand of these snowy foxes exist elsewhere with their population being considered stable.

What Dangerous Animals Are in Norway?

Unlike Australia, which has venomous animals everywhere, there are few dangerous animals in Norway. That said, the country’s large mammals — like moose and elk — are capable of doing severe damage by ramming targets if provoked.

Polar bears are also dangerous. The apex predators can outrun humans and behead us with a single swipe of their lethal paws! In the Norwegian territory of Svalbard, polar bears are such a common sight that anyone traveling outside of settlements is required to have appropriate means of frightening polar bears. The government recommends carrying a firearm.

Are there Mountain Lions in Norway?

A common question from travelers is whether mountain lions are in Norway. Mountain lions do not live in Norway as they’re found exclusively in the Americas. There they live in about 28 countries and have a global population of about 50,000. The states in North America with the largest populations found include Arizona, California, and Colorado.

Norway does have some large predators, such as brown bears, lynxes, and wolverines. The wolf population of Norway is estimated at about 100 wolves and lives along the Swedish border and in designated zones in the southeast of the country.

Norway Animals FAQ

Trees in Norway

Norway is home to a vast array of trees. In fact, 38% of the country is covered in forest! These species include the European aspen, the common hazel, and the massive European oak, which is also called the “thunderstorm tree.” The Scots pine, also known as the Baltic pine, can grow in rugged areas that other plants can’t tolerate. Trees like the downy birch and the Norway spruce offer food for the country’s moths and caterpillars, while the mountain ash provides berries for birds.

Spectacular Fish Found in Norway

Norway is surrounded by 18,000 miles of coastline and is home to numerous fjords, lakes, rivers, and streams. Hence, the rich marine biodiversity of this angler’s paradise comes as no surprise. Saltwater fish species include Cod, Haddock, Halibut, Mackerel, and Pollock.

Freshwater fish species on the other hand include Atlantic Salmon, Arctic Char, Burbot, Brown Trout, Common Bream, Common Whitefish, European Grayling, European Perch, Northern Pike, and Silver Bream.

The most abundant species is cod of which especially large specimens can be caught at Finnmark and Troms. There is also a Cod Fishing World Championship held each March at Lofoten. It is also possible to go deep-sea fishing at locations such as Lyngen fjord.

Flag of Norway

The flag of Norway has a red field and features a Scandinavian cross in blue bordered with white. It was based on the flag of Denmark which is red with a white cross. The addition of the blue represents Sweden, a country Norway had a union with at the time their flag was designed.

The colors of the Norwegian flag represent freedom and independence, ideals believed to be espoused by nations such as France, North America, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The flag itself was designed by Fredrik Meltzer, a member of the Norwegian parliament and a businessman from a merchant family with German origins.

National Flower of Norway

Norway’s endemic plant species grow in forests, wetland plains, and bogs. Among these species is the national flower of Norway: the pyramidal saxifrage. The history of the pyramidal saxifrage as the national flower of Norway dates back to the year 1935. At this time, an international botanical congress gathered in Amsterdam. This group chose pyramidal saxifrage as a symbol of the Norwegian people due to its ability to thrive in harsh mountain environments. However, this was not a government decision. The government has never officially chosen a national flower.

National Parks in Norway

Norway’s scenic beauty is unmatched. You will find snow-capped mountains, magical skies, misty waterfalls, and fantastic fjords within its boundaries.

Some of the most popular include:

• Ånderdalen National Park: Established in 1970, this national park is home to hares, red foxes, seals, shrews, and stoats. It is situated on Senja, a large island in Norway’s northernmost province Troms og Finnmark.

• Indre Wijdefjorden National Park: Located in Spitsbergen on Svalbard’s largest island, this wildlife refuge includes the inner portion of the Wijdefjorden, the nation’s largest fjord. Wildlife species which can be found here include Arctic foxes, pink-footed geese, polar bears, and Svalbard reindeer.

And one of the best ways to experience this majestic land is by visiting the ten most beautiful national parks in Norway.