The amazing wilderness that characterizes Alaska is made unique by the animals that inhabit it. And it is the wildlife, particularly the large mammals, that are one of the main attractions of those who travel to these wild northern lands. Even in the cities, including the metropolis of Anchorage, it is possible to come across moose or even bears, but it is in the mountains of Denali National Park or in the swamps of Kenai where these majestic animals are the masters.
Bear watching is one of the most popular activities and in almost every Alaskan city it is possible to take part in organized tours to see these fierce plantigrade mammals up close in complete safety. Besides moose and bears, it’s easy to spot caribou and Dahl’s sheep.
The coasts and islands are a paradise for birds. Millions of different species of birds rule the Alaskan skies, from large eagles to bizarre seabirds. Even those who are not ornithologists will be enchanted by the cliffs covered with birds or by the call of the great birds of prey echoing in the mountains.
It is the sea, however, where the most popular animals in Alaska live. Not only seals, walruses and (in the far north) polar bears, but above all whales. Few places in the world are as ideal for whale watching as the waters that lap the Alaskan coast.
The Kenai Fjords and the Inside Passage are some of the best areas, as the plankton on which the immense cetaceans feed accumulates there, and from some towns it is not rare to see some humpback whales from the mainland. There are many boat tours that take you out to see the whales: prices are not always low, but it is an experience that leaves an indelible mark in your memory.
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Bears, moose and caribou: where to see the big mammals
Bears are one of Alaska’s most distinctive animals, not only because there are so many of them here, but because Alaska is the only state where all of North America’s bear species live. Generally, each of these plantigrade mammals lives in different parts of the country, so if you’re an enthusiast or a photographer looking for a particular type of bear, you’ll have to go to a specific area.
- Polar Bears: the white giants are the most difficult to see, because they live in the northern areas of the state, which are the most remote and isolated. To see a white bear, it is necessary to go to the Arctic coasts, using small airplanes. However, it’s a good thing that cities lie far from their natural habitat: polar bears are the most dangerous of all. They do not fear man and can hunt him. It is therefore essential to take precautions and rely on local guides if you really want to see them.
- Brown Bears and Grizzly Bears: these two species are among the most common and often confused with each other. In fact, the American grizzly bears do not have marked differences from their cousins, and if you are not an expert in the field, it is difficult to tell them apart. The grizzly has grayer fur, can be larger in size and has longer claws. Both are omnivorous and salmon is the main part of their diet but while the more agile brown bear also looks for berries and fruits and hardly challenges man, the more powerful grizzly easily hunts other mammals and is also more dangerous for man. It is therefore necessary to take the appropriate precautions if you want to see them up close. Both live in almost the entire Alaskan territory, especially in mountainous and wooded areas. The best time for sightings is summer (until mid-autumn) when they concentrate along waterways hunting for salmon. Some of the best places to see bears are the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary (easily accessible from Anchorage) and the Tongass National Forest (not far from Juneau). In all major cities in the summer you can find organized tours to see and photograph bears: being accompanied by an experienced guide is essential to avoid risks.
- Kodiak Bears: also called simply “Alaskan Bears”, are a subspecies of brown bears native to these lands. They live mainly on the southern coasts and in the Aleutian Islands, as well as on Kodiak Island from which they take their name. It is the largest subspecies of brown bears in the world, the only one to contend with the polar bear for the record of the largest terrestrial carnivore. Even greater precaution is required than with Grizzly bears if you wish to see them, since the males can reach a weight of more than 1300 lb. Kodiak Island and the adjacent Katmai National Park are the best places to see these bears.
- Baribal Bears: smaller than the previous ones and easily recognizable by their black color, they are the most common bears in North America, sighted in many U.S. states throughout most of the year. Unlike its bigger brothers, in fact, the Baribal does not hibernate, but spends the winter in a state of drowsiness. It is also less dangerous than other bears, having a diet based mainly on vegetables and is also not as physically strong. It can be spotted throughout most of Alaska.
After the bear, the moose is the largest mammal living in Alaska. Seeing a grazing moose is a unique sight, but don’t make the mistake of believing that just because it is a herbivore, it can be easily approached. Moose are more dangerous than bears, as locals confirm, so much so that rangers themselves are more afraid of coming face to face with a moose than a bear.
To confirm what has been said here is a video reporting news of an Alaska moose that attacks four sled dogs.
A moose’s size doesn’t make it clumsy: these majestic animals are much more agile than you might think, and having a moose charge at you is a truly dangerous situation. They’re also more likely to approach cities than bears, so close encounters are more common. The best places to spot moose quietly are the marshy areas where they graze, such as the Kenai Peninsula, easily accessible from Anchorage.
Other large mammals are easily spotted throughout much of Alaskan territory, particularly caribou (the American version of reindeer) and Dall sheep. The latter are more similar to ibex than to sheep, they live mainly in mountainous areas and seeing them fighting each other with their big curved horns is a spectacle. Carnivores such as wolves are also widespread and although more difficult, thanks to expert guides it is possible to spot them.
Most of the organized trips allow you to sight many different species in a single day. The animals will be different, of course, depending on the area of the country where you are.
Whales and Orcas: Best Areas and Times to See Them
The seas that wash the coasts of Alaska are among the best in the world for spotting some large cetaceans, in particular orcas, humpback and gray whales. More rarely, it is possible to sight other species near the coasts, such as sperm whales or giant blue whales. One of the best places to spot whales, not only in Alaska but in all of North America, is the Inside Passage.
Here, during the summer, the waters rich in plankton attract these giants of the seas and it is highly possible to see them emerge near your boat. You may even see their blows and tails flapping on the water from the coast.
No less fascinating are the groups of killer whales that can be seen hunting for fish not far from the southern coasts of Alaska: Valdez and Seward are excellent starting points for this type of sightings.
The best way to ensure the thrill of being close to the sea giants is to rely on a special trip: they available of various duration in different areas of the coast. The waters where whales are most likely to be found are the large area of Prince William Sound and around the Kenai Peninsula, as well as the Inside Passage, particularly Icy Strait, Frederick Sound and Sitka Sound.
Eagles and Seabirds: A Bird Watcher’s Paradise
It is not only the large terrestrial and marine mammals that fascinate those who travel to Alaska. The skies of the far north are overflown by countless species of birds, which find the ideal place to nest in these wildlands. Whichever area of the state you intend to visit, it’s easy to meet peculiar and beautiful birds to photograph.
From majestic eagles to friendly puffins, both inland and coastal areas are teeming with birds. Mountainous areas, such as Denali National Park, are ideal for spotting large birds of prey, while the marshes of the Kenai Peninsula are home to many waterfowl.
The real bird watcher‘s paradise, however, are the islands. The Alaskan islands have some of the greatest concentration of seabirds of many different species in the world. Millions flock to the reefs, share the beaches with seals, and fly undisturbed through the skies, watching the whales puff away.
The Aleutian archipelago is a favorite area for bird watchers, not only because so many resident species reside there, but also because they are on the migratory routes of so many species of Asian birds. By choosing the right time, it is possible to spot over 30 Asian species moving across the Alaskan skies in less than a month. Attu Island, the farthest island from the coast (1000 miles from the mainland) is considered a magical place by those who love to observe and photograph birds, for the extreme concentration of different species.
The eastern coast around Nome, as well as the opposite island of St. Lawrence are equally rich but more easily accessible. The southern coast, the easiest one to reach, however, is certainly not deserted: although fewer species live there, there are still many thousands of seabirds.
Other useful information
If you are organizing a trip to this beautiful state I would also like to point out my top 10 things to see in Alaska and some recommended experiences for those who want to really get to know this territory. In addition, do not forget logistics and organizational aspects necessary for any trip to America, such as car rental, hotels, etc… in our Travel Resources section you will find everything you need in this regard.
