Arctic
The Arctic is not a country or continent, but rather a region at the extreme north of the planet. The variable climate, tundra landscapes and extended hours of daylight during the summer months provide a range of unique habitats for the fascinating species of the Arctic region.
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Arctic avens (Dryas integrifolia)
The Arctic avens (Dryas integrifolia) is an evergreen dwarf shrub with multiple large, solitary flowers. The flowers are composed of 8 to 11... More 4 Images 0 videos -
Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)
The Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is a large, cold-water fish whose physical appearance is highly variable between and within... More 7 Images 0 videos -
Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is superbly adapted for life at sub-zero temperatures. While this species is best known for its pristine... More 54 Images 11 Videos -
Arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii)
One of the largest species of ground squirrel, the Arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) is, as its common name suggests... More 17 Images 3 Videos -
Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus)
One of the world’s largest hares, the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) has a distinctive, uniformly white summer coat, aside from the tips of... More 26 Images 3 Videos -
Arctic loon (Gavia arctica)
Information on the Arctic loon is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 23 Images 0 videos -
Arctic poppy (Papaver laestadianum)
The Arctic poppy (Papaver laestadianum) is a rare, endemic, perennial plant species found only in the harsh, Arctic conditions of the... More 9 Images 0 videos -
Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea)
The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a long-distance migrant, making a staggering annual round-trip from its Arctic or northern temperate... More 22 Images 0 videos -
Arctic willow (Salix arctica)
The Arctic willow (Salix arctica) is a low-growing shrub, which grows flat along the ground and usually forms dense matted structures. The... More 7 Images 0 videos -
Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)
Many people will be familiar with the Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) as, for many years, it has been a staple of the fishmonger's... More 4 Images 3 Videos -
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), 'the leaper', has been called the king of fish, due primarily to its spectacular ability to clear... More 9 Images 4 Videos -
Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second largest fish in the seas, after the whale shark (Rhincodon typus); its maximum... More 24 Images 5 Videos -
Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus)
The largest of the Arctic phocids (the true seals), the bearded seal is typically light to dark grey, with a darker streak running down the... More 16 Images 4 Videos -
Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
The snow-white beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is one of the most distinctive of all cetaceans (a group that includes dolphins, whales... More 39 Images 7 Videos -
Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)
The bowhead whale is so-called because of its bow-shaped mouth and is black in colour with a whitish chin patch, broken by a 'necklace' of... More 21 Images 7 Videos -
Brent goose (Branta bernicla)
An unmistakable small, black goose, the brent goose (Branta bernicla) is exceptional amongst geese for its strong, efficient flight, which... More 25 Images 3 Videos -
Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
The smallest of the rorqual whales, the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is also the most abundant. The common minke whale is... More 19 Images 1 Video -
Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
The dunlin (Calidris alpina) is one of the hardiest of all shorebirds, breeding far north in the Arctic region and migrating southwards... More 27 Images 2 Videos -
Emperor goose (Chen canagica)
One of the rarest geese in North America, the emperor goose (Chen canagica) is a small, stocky goose that has dark bluish-grey plumage with... More 7 Images 4 Videos -
Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
Fin whales are the fastest of all cetaceans, reaching speeds of 37 kilometres per hour and known to completely clear the water. This whale... More 32 Images 2 Videos -
Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
A giant of the ocean, the gray whale is mottled dark to light grey in colour and is encrusted with patches of barnacles and whale lice. The... More 48 Images 12 Videos -
Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
Amongst the world’s largest sharks, the Greenland shark is an elusive species of dogfish that inhabits the icy waters of the Arctic and the... More 16 Images 2 Videos -
Grey wolf (Canis lupus)
The world’s largest wild canid, the iconic grey wolf (Canis lupus) has been a source of both fear and respect, inspiring a rich cultural... More 94 Images 18 Videos -
Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus)
The adult harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) is distinguished by the black markings on the upperside of its body, which create a harp or... More 29 Images 0 videos -
Ivory gull (Pagophila eburnea)
This distinctive gull is most striking in appearance when in its pure white adult plumage, which blends beautifully into its icy, Arctic... More 13 Images 3 Videos -
Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
Information on the lion's mane jellyfish is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 17 Images 4 Videos -
Little auk (Alle alle)
The smallest of all auks, the little auk (Alle alle), also known as the dovekie, is a tiny seabird, around the size of a starling, with... More 23 Images 2 Videos -
Long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus)
The smallest and most graceful of the Stercorarius species, the long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) is named for its greatly... More 23 Images 6 Videos -
Moss campion (Silene acaulis)
Information on the moss campion (Silene acaulis) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 8 Images 0 videos -
Muskox (Ovibos moschatus)
A massive, stocky bovid, superficially resembling the American bison in appearance, the muskox has a large body, short, stout legs, a short... More 54 Images 8 Videos -
Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)
Famous for its unicorn-like single tusk, narwhals have inspired legends in many cultures and are still revered across the world. The smooth... More 16 Images 5 Videos -
Orca (Orcinus orca)
Also known as the killer whale, the orca (Orcinus orca) is the largest member of the dolphin family, and one of the most distinctive of all... More 50 Images 1 Video -
Parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)
A cunning ocean predator, the parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) is so named for its habit of stealing food from other birds, a... More 30 Images 4 Videos -
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest living land carnivore, with adult males growing up to 2.6 metres in length. The most... More 66 Images 25 Videos -
Red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
The red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) is an unusual wading bird, not just because it spends up to 11 months of the year far out at sea... More 25 Images 3 Videos -
Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)
Information on the reindeer is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 53 Images 8 Videos -
Reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina)
Information on the reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 0 videos -
Ringed seal (Pusa hispida)
The smallest of all living seal species, growing to a maximum length of just over 1.5 metres, the ringed seal (Pusa hispida) is named for... More 22 Images 5 Videos -
Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
The ruddy turnstone is a small, stocky, brightly-patterned shorebird, named for its habit of turning over objects such as stones, shells and... More 19 Images 0 videos -
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
One of the most widespread of all shorebirds, the sanderling is a small, highly active wader, typically seen racing after waves on sandy... More 25 Images 0 videos -
Semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
A small wading bird with long, stilt-like legs and a short, thin, blunt-tipped bill, the semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) is... More 23 Images 1 Video -
Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)
Information on the Siberian sturgeon is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 2 Videos -
Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
The aptly-named snow bunting ((Plectrophenax nivalis) is a hardy, medium-sized songbird of the high Arctic and snowy winter fields... More 17 Images 9 Videos -
Snow goose (Chen caerulescens)
Information on the snow goose is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 51 Images 0 videos -
Snowy owl (Bubo scandiaca)
Perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable of all owls, the snowy owl is characterised by its distinctive white plumage, which gives it... More 46 Images 5 Videos -
Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri)
Distinctive in its breeding plumage, male Steller’s eiders have an orange breast and sides, and a white head, all contrasting against a... More 23 Images 4 Videos -
Thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli)
The thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli) is a medium-sized North American sheep with a stocky body and light brown, deeply ridged horns. The male and... More 43 Images 2 Videos -
Tufted saxifrage (Saxifraga caespitosa)
Information on the tufted saxifrage (Saxifraga caespitosa) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 5 Images 0 videos -
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
One of the largest and most distinctive of all pinnipeds, the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is renowned for its enormous tusks, which can reach... More 48 Images 8 Videos -
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
The elusive wolverine (Gulo gulo) has a fearsome reputation - it is the largest member of the weasel family. The remoteness and voracious... More 37 Images 14 Videos
What's new on ARKive?
New images of the Endangered Angel’s Madagascar frog. More
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