Nunavut Wildlife

The iconic symbol of the Arctic, polar bears are the world's largest land carnivores. Nunavut is home to a significant portion of Canada's polar bear population, with bears found throughout the coastal regions where they hunt seals on sea ice.

Caribou are central to Inuit culture and survival. These remarkable animals undertake one of the longest land migrations of any mammal, travelling hundreds of kilometres between calving grounds and winter ranges.

With their thick white winter coats, Arctic foxes are perfectly adapted to Nunavut's harsh climate. They can withstand temperatures as low as -50°C and are known to follow polar bears to scavenge their kills.

These ancient animals have roamed the Arctic for thousands of years. Their thick, insulating qiviut wool is one of the warmest natural fibres on Earth, and they form defensive circles to protect calves from predators.

The Arctic wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf that inhabits the Canadian Arctic. They hunt in packs and prey primarily on muskoxen, Arctic hares, and caribou.

This elusive feline has large paws that act as natural snowshoes, allowing it to move across deep snow. Their primary prey is the snowshoe hare, and their populations closely follow hare population cycles.

Known as the "unicorn of the sea," narwhals possess a distinctive spiral tusk that can grow up to 3 metres long. Nunavut waters host the majority of the world's narwhal population.

These social, vocal whales gather in large groups in Nunavut's bays and estuaries during summer months. Their white coloration and flexible necks make them easily recognizable.

Bowhead whales can live over 200 years, making them the longest-lived mammals. They have the thickest blubber of any whale and can break through sea ice up to 60 cm thick.

Walruses use their iconic tusks for hauling out onto ice, establishing dominance, and creating breathing holes. They feed primarily on clams and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.

The smallest and most common Arctic seal, ringed seals are the primary prey of polar bears. They maintain breathing holes in the ice and give birth in snow caves called lairs.

Nunavut's territorial bird, the rock ptarmigan changes from mottled brown in summer to pure white in winter. Unlike most Arctic birds, it remains in Nunavut year-round.

These powerful predators hunt primarily lemmings and can consume up to 1,600 per year. Their numbers in Nunavut fluctuate with lemming population cycles.

The fastest animal on Earth, peregrine falcons can reach speeds over 320 km/h during hunting dives. They nest on cliffs throughout Nunavut during the breeding season.

Millions of snow geese nest in Nunavut's coastal lowlands each summer. Their large colonies can significantly impact local vegetation through intensive grazing.