Greenland, the world’s largest island, presents a challenging environment for life. Its geography is largely defined by a massive ice sheet, which covers over four-fifths of its total land area and can be up to 3 kilometers thick. The ice-free land is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip, varying from 50 to 300 kilometers wide. This Arctic climate experiences short, cool summers and long, cold winters, with temperatures rarely rising above freezing from September to May. Despite these harsh conditions, Greenland’s diverse landscapes support a range of animal and plant species.
Terrestrial Animals
Greenland’s terrestrial environment supports several mammal species. Polar bears are found along the coasts where they hunt seals, their primary food source. Polar bears rely on sea ice as a platform for hunting, with some populations in Southeast Greenland even adapting to hunt from freshwater icebergs when sea ice is scarce. Around 2,500 to 3,000 polar bears inhabit Greenland, primarily within the East Greenland and Baffin Bay subpopulations.
Musk oxen, with their thick, insulating coats, are suited to the Arctic tundra. They are large herbivores, grazing on sparse vegetation. Musk oxen often form herds, providing collective defense against predators. Their dense fur provides insulation, allowing them to withstand low temperatures.
Reindeer, also known as caribou, are another land mammal, with wild populations in much of West Greenland. Males can weigh up to 300 kg, and both sexes possess antlers. Their diet consists of grasses and fresh leaves, and in winter, they are one of the few mammals that can subsist on lichens, including reindeer moss.
The arctic fox is a widespread predator, known for its thick fur that changes color seasonally. It preys on lemmings, hares, and birds. Arctic hares, found throughout Greenland except on the southeast coast, are the northernmost hare species. They have an entirely white coat in winter with black ear tips. These hares can reach up to 70 cm in length and weigh up to 7 kg, eating willow as a portion of their diet.
Marine and Coastal Wildlife
Greenland’s coastlines and marine waters host a variety of wildlife, from whales to fish species. Around 15 to 16 species of whales are found in Greenlandic waters, with three species, the beluga, narwhal, and bowhead whale, remaining year-round residents. Humpback whales, fin whales, and minke whales are summer visitors, attracted by abundant food sources. Humpbacks are often found in fjords, benefiting from nutrient-rich waters that sustain abundant krill and small fish.
Bowhead whales, also known as Greenland whales, break through sea ice with their massive skulls, and possess the thickest blubber of any animal. Narwhals, distinguished by the male’s long tusk, are deep divers, reaching depths of over 1800 meters, and feed on halibut, cod, and prawns. Sperm whales, killer whales (orcas), and dolphin species like white-beaked and white-sided dolphins also inhabit these waters.
Several species of true seals can be found in Greenlandic waters, including the harp seal, ringed seal, hooded seal, bearded seal, and harbor seal. The harp seal is the most common, seen during summer as they migrate north from their Canadian breeding grounds. Ringed seals are the most widespread and numerous, found near ice, using snow caves for their cubs. Walruses, marine mammals, inhabit Greenland’s waters, feeding on shallow-water invertebrates. The waters around Greenland are home to over 250 fish species, including Greenland halibut, Arctic char, Atlantic salmon, and cod species.
Avian Diversity
Greenland is a breeding ground for bird species, with about 230 species observed, though only around 30 reside there year-round. The majority of birds are sea or coastal birds that nest in colonies along the cliffs and islands. Seabirds include thick-billed murres, black guillemots, Atlantic puffins, and northern fulmars. Little auks form colonies, with the North Water area by Qaanaaq hosting over 30 million pairs, making it one of the world’s largest seabird populations.
Resident land birds include the snow bunting, a widespread breeding bird found throughout Greenland. The rock ptarmigan, Greenland’s only gallinaceous bird, are encountered during hikes. Birds of prey such as the white-tailed eagle, Greenland’s largest breeding bird, are found along the southwest coast and feed on fish and seabirds. Gyrfalcons, the world’s largest falcons, are breeding birds in Greenland, nesting on cliff faces. Many migratory species, including geese, ducks, and waders, visit Greenland for breeding during the warmer months, arriving from North or Central America.
Greenland’s Unique Flora
Greenland’s plant life is characterized by hardy vegetation that despite the permafrost and short growing seasons. The landscape is predominantly treeless tundra, with only a few small natural forests existing in sheltered southern valleys like Qinngua Valley, where summer temperatures are high enough to sustain dwarf trees.
The flora consists of mosses, lichens, grasses, and sedges. These plants are adapted with low growth patterns, which help them conserve heat and avoid strong winds. Many have rapid life cycles, allowing them to complete their growth and reproduction during the brief Arctic summer. Dwarf shrubs, such as Arctic willow and dwarf birch, are common, forming low-lying thickets in more sheltered areas. These plants form the base of the terrestrial food web, supporting the herbivorous animals that inhabit the island.