Icelandic Wildlife
The land animals of Iceland are more than you would think: from varieties of rodents to so, so many birds. Plus, the various imported animals that roam free on the land. Let’s have a look at some of our favourites: Reindeer, Arctic Foxes and Atlantic Puffins.
Reindeer
Reindeers can be found throughout the northern hemisphere and survive despite the difficulties of the cold winters of Iceland. Primarily found in the east of the country today, they were originally imported from Norway all over Iceland in the 1700’s to build up stock for agriculture.
Despite the thought that they had become extinct, it is estimated that around 6000 reindeer live in the east of the country around the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, the north of Vatnajökull glacier and on the higher ground of the mountain Snæfell. During the winter months, the herds head into the low lands to search for food, and this is the best time to attempt to see them.
Reindeer Facts: Reindeer hairs are hollow, which makes them excellent swimmers because of the floatation.
For the hunters amongst you bad news – like most wild mammals in Iceland (bar rodents) reindeer are protected, and a special license has to be applied for. These are small in number every year.
Arctic Fox
The arctic fox enjoys the distinction of being the only land mammal in Iceland when the vikings settle around the 800s AD. Unsurprisingly, they’re well adapted to Icelandic winters. Their relationship with farmers has been difficult since the arrival of the vikings due the want to protect their livestock versus the foxes want to eat said livestock.
Arctic Fox Facts: Its a strange phenomena, but they fear fences and will go around where they have to.
A little known fact about the arctic fox is that one type of fox can change their coat colours depending on the season – white during the winter and brown grey in the summer. The other kind of arctic fox keeps their coat a lighter brown all winter, and dark brown in the summer.
Although in the episode we mention that the survivors can hear the calls of foxes, they’re actually usually found in the Westfjords. In Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the fox has been protected since 1994.
Atlantic Puffin
The atlantic puffin is native to the Atlantic Ocean, spending its winters flying south and its summers in Iceland, with the largest colony being on Vestmananeyjar. Although a once large population, the atlantic puffin is now considered vulnerable due to food supply issue, hunting and climate change.
The atlantic puffin has a brightly coloured beak (which also have UV markings!) which it sheds after mating season. The puffin is monogamous and is said to return to the same burrow every year. They make their burrows in the cliffs, grasses and mosses in sight of the ocean, and keep the nest very clean! Your best time to see them is around sunrise and sunset as they leave and return to their nests.
Side Note: Volonda used to work at the puffin sanctuary on Vestmannaeyjar/The Westman Islands.
Puffin hunting is limited, with only a small quota being allowed every year. However, when the puffin was at its most vulnerable, the inhabitants of the Westman Islands voluntarily stopped hunting them. A massive effort was also undertaken by the community to rescue the baby pufflings that land in town and return them to their breeding grounds and the ocean in order to help protect the beloved puffin. This effort continues every year, Puffin Patrol, when the pufflings mistake the lights of the town for the moon reflecting on the ocean, with thousands of baby puffins being returned to the ocean every year.
Westman Islands and puffins: You’ll see videos around puffling season of children, and adults, throwing baby puffins off of the cliffs! It’s pretty safe and the puffling then glides or flies. They need the height in order to start flying!