Which animals live on Nunavut’s land and along its coasts?

Nunavut’s land and coastal environments support a variety of specialized wildlife adapted to the Arctic climate.

Land Animals

The tundra vegetation supports several herbivores, including caribou, musk oxen, Arctic hares, and lemmings. These animals serve as prey for land predators such as wolves, Arctic foxes, red foxes, wolverines, and grizzly bears.123

While few birds reside in Nunavut year-round, the snowy owl, gyrfalcon, and species of ptarmigan are notable exceptions. During the summer, millions of migratory birds, such as snow geese and Canada geese, nest in the territory.132

Coastal and Marine Animals

The coasts and surrounding waters are inhabited by seals, walrus, and polar bears, the latter of which primarily hunt seals on the sea ice. Coastal waters also host beluga and bowhead whales, as well as narwhals. Additionally, various seabirds, including gulls, terns, and puffins, nest along coastal cliffs near nutrient-rich waters.123