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ALASKA WILDLIFE
GUIDE
In a place where the wildlife is perhaps
the most abundant in the US., it’s a challenge to keep track of all the
different creatures and critters you’ll encounter on your voyage. So, to
make it easier for you to identify and understand Alaska’s wildlife
—
on land or at sea
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we’ve compiled
this must-keep wildlife guide for you to take with you on your cruise to
Alaska compliments of NCL.
IN THE SKY
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BALD EAGLE
—
While
the bald eagle remains a threatened species in the lower 48
states, this majestic bird thrives in Alaska. Not only is this
raptor big, measuring 32 to 40 inches long with a wingspan of up
to seven feet, but it’s fast, reaching flight speeds between 35
and 44 miles per hour. These birds of prey eat fish, waterfowl
and small mammals. And they’re not bald
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look for
the distinctive white head. |
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Travel Guard..........>
coverages may include: Trip cancellation due to named unforeseen
events, trip delay, lost baggage, medical emergency, & others.
Purchase online for immediate coverage. |
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LOONS
—There are plenty of
loons in Alaska
—
five species, to be
exact. These “spirits of the wilderness” are a vital part of
Alaska’s wilderness and are known for their distinctive yodeling
call. (It’s only the male loon that sings.) Loons are fast,
flying at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, and are among the
best diving birds in the world, with the ability to stay
underwater for more than a minute. |
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PTARMIGAN
—
Alaska’s
state bird is a true chameleon, turning white in the winter and
brown in the summer to camouflage itself from predators. There
are actually three species of ptarmigans in Alaska, with a
population that fluctuates between superabundant to nearly
nonexistent in just a few years. |
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ON LAND
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BROWN BEAR — What’s the difference between the brown bear
and the grizzly? Brown bears are the ones you’re more likely to
see on your voyage, since they live where the salmon do, along
the southwestern coast and Gulf of Alaska. Grizzlies are simply
brown bears that live inland. Brown bears can weigh up to 800
pounds and reach a height of up to eight feet when standing on
their hind legs. And they’re fast, able to run 35 to 40 miles
per hour. |
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WOLF — Wolves are highly social animals, which live in packs
that include parents and yearling pups. You’ve heard of the
term, ‘Alpha Male.’ Well, dominance of the wolf pack is a
hierarchy with a separate rank order among females and males,
and the alpha male is number one among the males. It is also a
little known fact that the alpha female, who is the lead female,
is just as in .& control as the male. In Alaska, the territory
of a pack averages 600 square miles of habitat. |
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MOOSE — Did you know that moose are the largest member of
the deer species? These horse—sized animals can be found
throughout Alaska, along highways and even in cities like
Anchorage. The adult male (the bull) can weight upwards of 1,600
pounds with antlers that typically measure four to five feet
from end to end. The female (the cow) births her calves in
mid—May and is highly protective of her young — so don’t get in
her way. |
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IN THE WATER
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HUMPBACK WHALE — The humpback is one of the world’s most
endangered species of whales. They’re known to surface and
breech throughout the Inside Passage, Prince William Sound and
Glacier Bay, and are able to stay underwater for up to 30
minutes. The humpback can live up to 95 years, and consumes
between 2,000 and 9,000 pounds of fish and krill a day.
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KILLER WHALE (ORCA) —The killer whale, also known as the
Orca, isn’t actually a whale at all. They’re the largest species
of the dolphin family, are highly social and have established
social hierarchies, with pods that range from five to 30 orcas
led by females. |
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SEA
OTTER — The sea otter has the thickest fur in the animal
kingdom and depends on air trapped in the fur to help them
maintain their body temperature. A member of the weasel family,
the sea otter is one of the only mammals to use tools, often
relying on small rocks or other shellfish to pry prey from
rocks, and hammer or pry open their food |
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STELLER SEA LION — This “Lion of the Sea” earned its name
because of its distinctive bellowing roar. As the largest sea
lions, males can reach eleven feet in length and weigh up to
2,200 pounds. The Steller Sea Lion uses its flippers as rudders
for steering, and travels up to 250 miles from home in their
search for food. |
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