The Arctic regions of northern Canada are among the most extreme environments on Earth: icy, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Yet, despite months of darkness, sub-zero temperatures, and fierce winds, a surprising variety of wildlife calls this frozen world home. These animals have evolved extraordinary adaptations to survive where few others can.
Each species plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of this northern ecosystem. Their thick coats, unique hunting techniques, and seasonal migrations reveal just how resilient life can be in the face of relentless cold.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources.
1. Polar Bear
The undisputed monarch of the Arctic, this powerful predator roams the northern coasts of Nunavut, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories. Polar bears rely entirely on sea ice to hunt seals, their primary food source. Their thick fur and insulating fat layers make them perfectly suited for freezing temperatures.
Canada is home to approximately two-thirds of the world’s polar bears. These magnificent creatures can weigh up to 700 kilograms and travel vast distances across ice in search of prey. Climate change threatens their survival by reducing sea ice habitat.
2. Arctic Fox
Few animals embody Arctic resilience quite like this small but hardy fox. Its thick fur changes colour with the seasons: white in winter for camouflage and brown or grey in summer. Arctic foxes live across the tundra regions of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
They scavenge leftovers from polar bears and hunt rodents beneath the snow. Their keen sense of hearing helps them locate prey hidden under thick snowpack. These clever survivors can endure temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius.
3. Muskox
Prehistoric in appearance, muskoxen have roamed the Arctic for thousands of years. Their shaggy coats and curved horns make them instantly recognisable across the frozen landscape. These animals form tight herds for protection against wolves and harsh weather.
Their underwool, called qiviut, is among the warmest natural fibres in the world. Native to Arctic Canada, primarily Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, they graze on grasses, willows, and lichens. When threatened, they circle with horns facing outward in a defensive formation.
4. Peary Caribou
Meet the smallest and northernmost caribou subspecies, found only on Canada’s Arctic islands. Peary caribou have short legs, compact bodies, and thick coats to conserve heat in extreme conditions. Seasonal migrations take them across frozen channels between islands.
They search constantly for lichen and moss beneath the snow. Listed as Endangered under SARA, their populations face threats from climate change and habitat loss. These resilient grazers can survive on minimal vegetation during the long Arctic winter months.
5. Arctic Hare
With a heart built for survival, this hare thrives in extreme cold by relying on its dense fur and compact body. It doesn’t hibernate but endures the winter by digging into snowbanks for warmth. During winter, its coat turns pure white, blending seamlessly into the snowy tundra.
Common in the high Arctic regions of Nunavut and northern Quebec, these hares can reach speeds of 60 kilometres per hour. They feed on woody plants, mosses, and lichens throughout the year.
6. Ringed Seal
Vital to the Arctic food web, ringed seals serve as the primary prey of polar bears. They maintain breathing holes in sea ice throughout the winter and give birth in snow-covered lairs. Their thick blubber layer provides insulation and energy reserves.
Found throughout Arctic Canada, particularly Hudson Bay and Baffin Bay, these seals can dive up to 90 metres deep. They feed on Arctic cod and other small fish. Their survival skills include detecting predators through ice and escaping quickly into water.
7. Gyrfalcon
Reigning over the Arctic skies, the world’s largest falcon commands respect and awe. The gyrfalcon hunts ptarmigans and ducks across the tundra, using powerful speed and precision to capture prey. Unlike many birds, it stays in the Arctic year-round.
It nests on cliffs far from human disturbance across Arctic Canada. These magnificent raptors can reach speeds of 130 kilometres per hour during pursuit. Their colour varies from pure white to dark grey, providing camouflage in different seasons.
8. Arctic Wolf
Pure white and fiercely adapted, this subspecies of the grey wolf lives only in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and northernmost mainland areas. Unlike its southern relatives, it has smaller ears and a thicker coat to withstand freezing winds. It primarily hunts muskoxen and Arctic hares.
Endemic to Arctic Canada and Greenland, these wolves travel in small packs across vast territories. They can survive months without food by relying on fat reserves and opportunistic hunting strategies.
9. Beluga Whale
Known for their striking white colour and vocal nature, beluga whales inhabit Arctic and sub-Arctic waters around Canada. They travel in pods, communicating through a complex range of clicks, whistles, and chirps. Their flexible necks allow them to turn their heads, unlike most whales.
Belugas migrate seasonally, moving to warmer estuaries in summer to feed and moult. Found in Hudson Bay, the St. Lawrence estuary, and Arctic coastal waters, they feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans beneath the ice.
10. Snowy Owl
With piercing yellow eyes and silent flight, the snowy owl is an iconic Arctic hunter. Males are almost entirely white, while females display darker barring across their feathers. They hunt lemmings and other small rodents across the open tundra.
Unlike many owls, they are active during the day, adapted to the Arctic’s continuous summer daylight. Breeding across northern Canada, they nest on the ground in shallow depressions. Their populations fluctuate based on lemming availability each year.
