Spitsbergen's Wildlife: Land and Sea Animals

Polar bears, reindeers, whales, walruses…

On land, in the air or at sea, in the heart of the wild and unspoilt expanses of the Svalbard archipelago, each element is a formidable natural paradise for fascinating animal species that have adapted to the most extreme of conditions. A whirlwind tour in photographs to meet the wildlife of Spitsbergen: a sanctuary of polar biodiversity.

Masters of the frozen lands

Only three land mammals have successfully adapted to Svalbard’s harsh polar climate: the polar bear, the Svalbard reindeer and the Arctic fox.

Polar bears: solitary kings of the Arctic

On the ice floes and drifts of Spitsbergen, the polar bear reigns supreme. Emblematic of the untamed Arctic, this majestic predator spends most of its time tracking seals across the vast expanses of ice. Under its thick white fur, its heat-retaining black skin enables it to withstand the harsh polar climate. Take to the seas for the best chance of catching a glimpse of the animal in its natural habitat: an unparalleled moment of wonderment at the power of nature.

The Svalbard reindeer: wanderer of the tundra

This beast has been roaming the Svalbard lands for thousands of years. Smaller than its continental cousins, it has thick fur layered over a compact body and large hooves, making this hardy animal perfectly adapted to the Arctic climate. Instead of large herds, the Svalbard reindeer prefers to roam alone across the tundra in search of lichen. Note that it is not uncommon to come across it in downtown Longyearbyen.

The Arctic fox: champion of survival

Despite being hunted for two centuries, this animal is still standing! The coy Arctic fox sheds its white winter coat, turning brown and grey as soon as summer arrives. From one season to the next, it blends into the snow, as well as the rocks and summer tundra. A master in the art of survival, and discreet and opportunistic by nature, the little Arctic fox sometimes stalks polar bears in the hope of snapping up scraps from royal feasts. Its ability to detect prey under the snow makes it a formidable hunter.

Under the gentle Gulf Stream

The secret to this incredible ecosystem’s delicate balance is a breathtaking diversity of landscapes (glaciers, fjords, mountains, tundra…), nutrient-rich waters and the mild influence of the Gulf Stream. To dive into this fascinating animal kingdom is to get up close and personal with the very essence of the wild Arctic.

Wings of the Arctic

Svalbard is home to some of the most abundant birdlife in the North Atlantic. In summer, hundreds of thousands of seabirds and migratory birds take to its open waters, nesting on its cliffs and rocks to breed.

The Arctic tern: extreme adventurers

14,000 kilometres: that’s how far the Arctic tern flies each year to winter in the Southern Hemisphere, as far south as Antarctica (a migratory record!) before returning to breed in the latitudes of the Arctic Circle. The skies over Spitsbergen transform into an open-air stage, and a marvellous aerial ballet unfolds: the slender silhouettes of these sea swallows with their shrill cries and grey and white plumage, swirling around their nests, ready to dive-bomb intruders. An unforgettable show!

The Atlantic puffin: clown of the cliffs

Its pretty, colourful beak has earned it the nickname of sea parrot. A pelagic seabird with black and white plumage and bright orange legs, the Atlantic puffin is more at home in the water than in the air. Able to dive for several minutes at depths of up to 60 metres, this cousin of the little penguin lives mainly in the open sea. During the breeding season, it heads for the mainland, where it curls up in the hollows of steep cliffs. Although its colonies are often difficult to reach, encounters with this endearing “little clown” are always very moving.

The snow bunting: singer of the Far North

The snow bunting is the only passerine that dares to leave its temperate wintering grounds, striking out into Spitsbergen even before the snow melts. A discreet but songful bird, and the only one of its kind in the archipelago: you’re sure to hear its powerful, melodious song liven up the stone and tundra landscapes during the fleeting Arctic summer.

Pelagic birds: aces of the sea

Eating, sleeping, flying, diving and swimming on the high seas all year round: welcome to life as a pelagic bird, from the ancient Greek pelagos, meaning “high seas”. As well as puffins and terns, this family includes albatrosses, jaegers, frigate birds, shearwaters and petrels. The open sea is their domain, and they only return to land to reproduce. In other words, catching a glimpse of them is a real privilege!

Lords of the polar seas

Svalbard’s exceptionally diverse marine fauna also includes a host of fascinating creatures. Evolving in the icy waters with remarkable ease, they bear witness to the diversity and resilience of marine life in this polar region.

The beluga: a chatty white whale

The beluga whale is one of the must-see cetaceans in the icy waters of Spitsbergen. Particularly sociable, it lives, hunts and migrates in groups. Nicknamed the “white whale”, the beluga is also known as the “canary of the seas” for its complex underwater vocalizations, which include whistles, growls, calls and slaps. It owes its sophisticated repertoire of sounds to its bulbous forehead, known as a “melon”, which enables it to communicate with its peers and navigate with ease under the polar ice.

The walrus: mighty sage of the shores

Big fins, long whiskers and tusks that can measure up to a metre! The walrus isn’t hard to spot. A colossus of the Spitsbergen seas, this is one of the few marine mammals capable of keeping polar bears at bay. It basks in impressive colonies on pack ice or, in summer, on gently sloping stretches of land free of ice and snow, near shallow waters teeming with shellfish. Imposing, placid giants offering a fascinating spectacle of quiet power.

The ringed seal: virtuoso of the depths

Seals are plentiful in Spitsbergen. Among the most widespread is the ringed (or marbled) seal, which owes its name to its silvery-grey coat spotted with distinctive rings that allow it to blend in perfectly with the ice. Agile and discreet, it twirls among the ice drifts in search of food, digging its own holes to breathe. On the pack ice where it rests and breeds, caution is called for: this is the polar bear’s favourite snack. The ringed seal is a friendly, inquisitive creature. If you’re patient and quiet enough, you might even get the chance to see one at sea.

Where is Spitsbergen?

Beyond the Arctic Circle, halfway between Norway’s North Cape and the North Pole, Spitsbergen is the main island of the Svalbard archipelago.

Set sail for Spitsbergen

Explore the Arctic’s iconic flora and fauna with PONANT

View Spitsbergen cruises

The wildlife of Spitsbergen