Brown Bears are the symbol of the Alaska wilderness.  They are incredibly intelligent animals with an amazing memory and a sense of smell estimated to be thousands of times stronger than humans'.

During summer salmon runs, bears can eat up to 90 pounds of food per day while preparing for hibernation.  The giant hump on their shoulders is actually pure muscle, giving them incredible digging and lifting power.

Despite their size, brown bears can move shockingly fast and quietly.  Watching one fish in a river is one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in Alaska.

Moose are often the animal visitors underestimate the most, until they see one in person.

A bull moose can weigh nearly as much as a small car.  Their long legs help them move through deep snow, marshes, and lakes with ease.  Moose are also surprisingly strong swimmers and can dive underwater to eat aquatic plants.

In fall, male moose enter the rutting season where they battle for dominance using antler that can weight 40 pounds. 

Dall sheep are one of Alaska's most unique mountain animals.  Their bright white coats stand out dramatically against the dark, rocky cliffs.  These sheep live high in rugged mountain terrain where few predators can safely follow.  Their specially designed hooves act almost like climbing shoes, allowing them to navigate cliffs with incredible agility.

Male Dall sheep, called rams, grow massive, curled horns that continue to grow throughout their lives.  During mating season, rams battle by charging into each other headfirst, creating crashes that echo through the mountains.  Dall sheep are also known for their incredible eyesight and ability to spot danger from long distances.

Gray wolves are one of the rarest and most exciting wildlife sightings in Alaska.  They are intelligent, social, and essential to Alaska's ecosystem. Wolves live in packs that function like close family units, often led by a breeding pair, and they work together to hunt, protect territory, and raise pups.  They communicate through howls, body language, facial expressions, and scent marking, with howls carrying across Alaska's valleys and tundra.

Alaska wolves are generally larger than wolves in the lower 48 states because of the harsher climate and the availability of larger prey.  They can travel over 30 miles in a single day while hunting caribou, moose, or smaller animals.  Wolves are incredibly adaptable and survive everywhere from dense forests to Arctic tundra.  Seeing one in the wild is considered very lucky because they naturally avoid humans and blend remarkably well into Alaska's vast wilderness.

Caribou represent the wild Arctic spirit of Alaska.  Their migration across the tundra is among the largest wildlife movements on earth.  Do you know the difference between Caribou and reindeer?  One is domesticated and the other is wild.  Caribou are wild, but Santa has reindeer. 

Caribou are highly social animals that rely on the herd's protection and instincts to survive predators such as wolves and bears.  During migration season, thousands can move together across mountains, rivers, and tundra in an almost endless line stretching across the landscape.  For many Alaska Native cultures, caribou have provided food, clothing, tools, and tradition for generations, making them not only important wildlife but also deeply connected to Alaska's history and way of life.

• Both Males and females grow antlers
• Some herds migrate over 1,500 miles yearly
• Their hooves change with the seasons for snow and wetlands
• Caribou fur traps heat and even helps them float
• Calves can walk within hours of birth
• They can see ultraviolet light in snowy environments.

Where to Find Them