Mammals in Alaska
Land Mammals of Alaska
Alaska’s land mammals range from massive predators to small, resilient survivors adapted to extreme conditions. From the dense boreal forests of the Interior to open alpine terrain, these animals play a major role in shaping the landscape and the experience of traveling through it. Moose are the most commonly seen large animal across much of the state, while predators like wolves, bears, and lynx move more quietly through remote areas. Many of these species are highly seasonal in behavior, changing diet, movement, and visibility depending on the time of year.
This category includes the full range of Alaska’s land-based mammals, from widespread species found across the state to those more commonly seen in forested and mountainous regions.
Discover Alaska’s wildlife by clicking on some of the animals below:
Brown Bear / Grizzly Bear — Ursus arctos
Black Bear — Ursus americanus
Moose — Alces alces
Caribou — Rangifer tarandus
Dall Sheep — Ovis dalli
Gray Wolf — Canis lupus
Wolverine — Gulo gulo
Red Fox — Vulpes vulpes
Canada Lynx — Lynx canadensis
Musk Ox — Ovibos moschatus
Snowshoe Hare — Lepus americanus
Ermine — Mustela erminea
Arctic & Tundra Mammals of Alaska
Within Alaska’s broader group of land mammals, a smaller group is uniquely adapted to life in the Arctic and tundra. These animals are built to survive long winters, extreme cold, and wide-open landscapes with little natural cover. Thick fur, compact bodies, and seasonal color changes help them endure temperatures that can drop far below zero.
Species like polar bears and Arctic foxes are closely tied to sea ice and northern coastal regions, while smaller mammals such as lemmings and Arctic ground squirrels spend much of their lives below the surface. While they are still land mammals, this group stands apart due to the extreme environments they depend on, making them some of the most specialized wildlife in Alaska.
Discover some Arctic mammals below:
Polar Bear — Ursus maritimus
Arctic Fox — Vulpes lagopus
Arctic Hare — Lepus arcticus
Arctic Ground Squirrel — Urocitellus parryii
Lemming — Lemmus spp.
Musk Ox — Ovibos moschatus