From Puffins to Reindeer: Iceland's Fascinating Animals

Wild Animals in Iceland

Arctic Foxes

These are the land mammals I was talking about in the introduction.

After walking over sea ice to the island during the ice age, Arctic foxes found themselves stranded after the ice melted. However, these rather adaptable creatures – also known as polar, snow, or white foxes – managed to survive the barely unlivable conditions by feeding on berries, invertebrates, birds, and eggs.

When humans arrived, they hunted the foxes for the fur, even developing fur farms that still exist today. Although hunting disrupted the fox population, human arrival meant more food for them in food waste, lambs, and rodents, ensuring their survival.

If you visit Iceland today, you’ll find that the Arctic foxes come in two color morphs – blue and white. Blue foxes don’t change coat color, while the white ones change between seasons, going from white in the winter to white and brown in the summer.

You'll have to travel to the Arctic Fox Center in Súðavík or the Westfjords in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve to see these beauties.

Artic Fox can be found at: Súðavík, Thorsmork and Hornstrandir.

Reindeer

In the 18th century, reindeer were brought over from Norway for herding, which was a common practice in the Scandinavian countries. However, reindeer husbandry failed to take off in Iceland, which resulted in them roaming freely in the wild.

Approximately 3,000 reindeer reside in Iceland at the moment. Mostly in the east - around Snæfell, Brúaröræfi, and Vesturöræfi. You can find them in the lowlands and higher ground during the summer. Nevertheless, herds have been spotted as far north as Vopnafjörður and far south as Jökulsárlón.

Although reindeer are well-loved across the country, their population is controlled to not encroach on grazing land set aside for sheep. Failure to do that may destabilize the economy in the case of a large-scale volcanic eruption or severe winter, which aren’t uncommon in Iceland.

Can be found at: Húsavík and Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Rendeer can be found at: Snæfell, Brúaröræfi, Vesturöræfi, Vopnafjörður and Jökulsárlón

Marine Animals in Iceland

Whales

Iceland’s waters are home to over twenty different whale species, no wonder the island is considered the whale-watching capital of Europe.

Species you’re most likely to see there are:

• Belugas
• Bowheads
• Minkes
• Narwhals
• Humpbacks
• Blues
• Sperms

In recent times, Icelanders’ views on these creatures have changed, as the relationship between the two was historically complex. Early settlers used to depict them as cruel leviathans.

We see this in a famous story of a warlock who transformed into a whale and then tried taking over Iceland before being rebuffed by a guardian spirit. Although feared in their natural environment, whales had a warm welcome when washed up to shore. Their meat was enough to feed the entire community, and their oil could supply lanterns and candles for the entire winter. In the 19th century, commercial whaling was legalized in Iceland but later outlawed, then legalized again.

Though it continues today, the constant debate about its future lingers. However, what does have a future is whale watching, which I'm sure you'll love.

To get a glimpse of the creatures for yourself, you can rent a car from the best car rental in Iceland and travel to Húsavík or Snæfellsnes peninsula to see them. You can get a close-up photo with humpbacks as they are curious creatures that love moving close to boats.

Whales can be found at: Húsavík and Snæfellsnes Peninsula

White-Beaked Dolphins

While on your whale-watching tour in the Snæfellsnes peninsula, you might see pods of white-beaked dolphins jumping in and out of the water. You’ll recognize them by the white or light grey stripes on their bellies and flanks.

The males have entirely white beaks, while only the tip of the beak is white for the females.

White-beaked dolphins often congregate in social groups consisting of related and unrelated members. You'll also find that the groups are of the same sex and age group. Currently, around 30,000 white-beaked dolphins are inhabiting Iceland's coasts. Their main source of food includes haddock, cod, and whiting.

White-Beaked Dolphins can be found at: Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Seals

The third marine animal you'll find in Iceland is the seal, predominantly the harbor and gray colonies. For years, seals have been using Iceland's shores to breed, haul out, and shed. The uninhabited coast and fertile waters allowed seal colonies to evolve. When they arrived, the seal’s lack of fear of humans came as a blessing for them, as they provided the settlers with essential resources like food, oil, and clothing. That made the stark island much more habitable.

As more and more settlers came over, seal killings increased. And in the 20th century, their population dropped as they were now used primarily for fashion than necessity. However, numbers are considerably stable today even though they're still hunted for passing ringworms to fish, damaging fishing equipment, and for their fur.

As the seal-watching industry booms, these practices have come under heavy scrutiny, especially after the Icelandic Seal Center opened in Hvammstangi.

You can spot seals in various places in Iceland, like the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and Vatnsnes peninsular. Gray and harbor seals are not the only species to visit the Icelandic waters. Ringed, bearded, harp, and hooded seals often come by. You might even come across walruses in the Westfjords, which were plenty in the 17th century before being hunted to extinction.

Seals can be found at: Reykjavík, Hvammstangi, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Vatnsnes Peninsula, Skagi Peninsula, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Breidafiord Bay, Strandir Area and Myrar Area.

Domestic Animals in Iceland

The Icelandic Horse

One of the animals in Iceland you don’t want to miss out on is the Icelandic horse. This is one of the most renowned horse breeds globally – not because of its height, but its intelligence and purity.

Importing horses to Iceland is illegal, and if one is exported, it’s not allowed to return, which ensures Icelandic horses remain pure breeds. When early settlers came over from Norway, they brought their best horses along. In the year 920, when the settlement period ended, Iceland had several sturdy horses that played a critical role in the economy.

For years, they were used to help with the farm work. However, their unique gait (walking style) made people use them more for horse riding than the former.

You cannot have a complete Icelandic experience without riding an Icelandic horse. Plus, it won't take much time from your travel plans. Head over to Skagafjörður, in North Iceland, the mecca of horsemanship, to ride one. It’s a fantastic place to go sightseeing, snorkeling, or caving on a horse.

If you’re in the capital, I recommend horse-riding in Mosfellsdalur Valley, just outside Reykjavík.

Icelandic horse can be found at: Everywhere in Iceland

Icelandic Sheep

Though this inclusion may sound laughable to foreigners – it’s not to Icelanders, as it’s what kept us alive for centuries. Even today, Icelandic sheep continue to be a vital source of warmth and food.

You should read Nobel Prize winner Halldor Laxness’s novel to understand their reverence for locals. You’ll find that they are the central topic for the majority of the country folk.

While not exciting as other animals on this list, their role in Iceland's history cannot be forgotten.

Icelandic Sheep can be found at: Everywhere in Iceland

Icelandic Sheepdog

Like other domestic animals in Iceland, sheepdogs came over with early settlers hundreds of years ago. Since their arrival, they've been helping farmers by guarding property and herding.

Icelandic sheepdogs are small relative to their counterparts abroad. They also catch diseases easily due to the island's isolation.

In the late 19th century, these pets almost faced extinction. The government intervened by banning other dog breeds from entering the country, introducing pet vaccines, and making veterinary care affordable, which helped the population recover.

Apart from the small size, Icelandic sheepdogs have curled tails and fluffy coats. They are also friendly, agile, highly energetic, and resilient, making them great exercise partners.

Most sheepdogs are found in the countryside, where they are free to use their natural herding instincts and high energy to help their owners.

Icelandic Sheepdog can be found at: Every farm in Iceland and in many households around Iceland.

Birds in Iceland

Arctic Tern

The Arctic tern is fiercely protective of its nest. This little white bird with a blackhead and sharp angular wings will charge toward anyone coming close to its nest.

For this reason, you'll find signs indicating Arctic tern nests around ponds in the capital, where they love to hang around.

Make sure you don’t feed these birds when you meet them during the spring or summer, as that can attract predatory birds that can prey on ducklings at the pond.

Arctic Terns can be found in: Reykjavík

Gyrfalcon

Look up! You might see the majestic gyrfalcon circling above you. The bird has a wingspan of up to 4 feet (1.2 m), making it the largest of the falcon group. It’s also fast and powerful, which is probably why it’s the national animal for Iceland.

The gyr has grey and white feathers and is considered the most beautiful falcon by many. You can find some in North Iceland around the Lake Mývatn area. While there, you might catch sight of a gyrfalcon diving into the lake to catch dinner, so be ready with your camera.

Gryfalcons can be found at: Lake Mývatn Area

Puffins

60% of the world's Atlantic puffin population resides in Iceland. That's approximately 10 million birds! So you’re sure to see them in thousands of places around the country.

The south of Iceland is home to various puffin colonies, such as Reynisfjall and Dyrholaey. Going there allows you to experience the exquisite nature of the south coast while viewing the birds in their natural habitat.

If you’re a bird enthusiast, heading to the Westfjords will give you the most pleasure, as it’s a bird-watching paradise. The remote setting of the Westfjords allows thousands of birds to take refuge there, lay eggs, and raise their young ones without fear of predators.

Birds there aren’t fond of humans, so when you arrive at the Látrabjarg bird cliffs, stand a respectable distance away, so you don’t startle them.

You can also appreciate puffins while on a boat tour in Lundy or Akurey or just by the bay, where you’ll find thousands of nests. Icelanders eat puffins. That means you might be watching them during the day and eating them during the night.

Puffins can be found at: Látrabjarg and Westman Island