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Finland is home to a wide variety of unique and beautiful animals. From reindeer and arctic foxes to harbor porpoises and white whales, Finland has a diverse array of animals that live on both land and in Finnish waters.
Reindeer have had a close connection to the people of Finland for centuries. Reindeer herding has been passed down through the years originally from the nomadic Sami people, then to Finnish settlers, all the way to modern times in Finland. Reindeer husbandry continues on in Finland today, giving the reindeer both a special place in Finnish history and the economy. These reindeer like to graze on pastureland and grasses when there is little snow cover on the ground.
Arctic foxes are also abundant throughout Finland, living usually in the tundra. Many of theses foxes are hunted due to the high demand for their fur. While the arctic foxes are not an endangered species, the population in Fennoscandia, an area which includes Finland and neighboring countries, is threatened.
The
wolverine is another animal common to Finland. The wolverine, with its bear-like appearance, has been severely over hunted, causing it to be endangered on the Finnish Red List. This over hunting was due to the wolverine’s reputation as a predator and threat to reindeer herders. Remaining Finnish wolverines enjoy making their dens on the rocky sides of mountains.
European minks also make Finland their home. The mainly nocturnal European mink can be found on the banks of lakes, rivers, and creeks. As these minks are hunted for their fur, their population in Finland and other European countries is continuing to decline. Loss of habitat is also a major factor in the loss of European minks.
Finland also has wonderful marine life, including
harbor porpoises and white whales. The harbor porpoise likes to stay close to land and can often be seen swimming off the Finnish coast. The white whale, also known as the
Beluga whale, can often be seen in Finnish waters. These whales are often easy to see because they like to stay close to the coast like their harbor porpoise neighbors.
Even-toed ungulates in Finland
Caribou
Wild boar
European elk
Roe deer
Carnivores in Finland
Arctic fox
Cross fox
Badger
Arctic wolf
Ermine
Sable
European polecat
Wolverine
Gray seal
Brown bear
Common otter
Eurasian lynx
European pine martin
European mink
Least weasel
Dolphins, porpoises, and whales in Finland
Grey dolphin
Common porpoise
Bottle-nosed dolphin
Bats in Finland
Particoloured bat
Northern bat
Whiskered bat
Natterer's bat
Brown big-eared bat
European free-tailed bat
Hares, pikas, and rabbits in Finland
Brown hare
Arctic hare
Rodents in Finland
Striped field mouse
Yellow-necked field mouse
Eurasian beaver
Garden dormouse
Norway lemming
Eurasian harvest mouse
Field vole
Root vole
Common vole
Wood lemming
Russian flying squirrel
Eurasian red squirrel
Northern birch mouse
Information about the animals living in Finland is brought to you by
"List of countries of the world", your first stop in discovering all countries and animals of the world.
The animals displayed on this page are group in their scientific order.
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