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Searching for Beavers in Sweden! | Earth Cycle

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What´s your favourite Swedish wild animal?

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What´s your favourite Swedish wild animal?

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WildSweden - wildlife adventures in Sweden

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...and where to see them

Don't go straight to the zoo just because it is easy. It is far more rewarding to see animals in the wild.

But where do you find wild animals in Sweden? Where in Sweden can you see Moose? And is it possible to find a Wolf?

To help you out, I have compiled this list of ten wild animals in Sweden and where to see them.

Let's begin with Moose!

Moose in Sweden

Moose can be found all over Sweden, but they can still be difficult to find. If you travel through Sweden, don't expect to see Moose everywhere. Your biggest chance is to see them from your car window, but it is always more impressive to meet a Moose while walking through a forest.
How to see Moose in the wild:

Moose spend most of their time in dense forests but during Summer evenings they venture out into open areas in search for food, and that is where you have a chance to see them! For the best chances to see moose during the Summer, simply drive around to various fields and meadows.

If you are hiking, walk in silence.

You don't have to go deep into the forest to find moose. Moose that live close to villages and towns are used to people and therefore less shy.

To make sure you see a Moose in Sweden you can join a guided Moose Safari.

Facts about Moose in Sweden

>> More facts about Moose in Sweden

Moose is the largest species of the deer family. It can be found all over Sweden except on Gotland and the outer islands. Sweden has a denser Moose population than any other country. Although hundreds of thousands of Moose inhabit Sweden they can still be difficult to see in the wild.

Their diet consists of both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation. Unlike most other deer species, moose are solitary animals and do not form herds. The calves stay with their cow during their first year.

What is the difference between Moose and Elk?

Well, this is a hard one, so read carefully.

The photo here shows a Moose (in American English) but it is also an Elk (in British English). Yes, Moose and Elk are the very same species. However, in North America there is another member of the Deer family, the Wapiti, which is also called Elk. So, the American Moose is the same as the European Elk. But the North American Elk is not the same as the European Elk. Confused? Here's another way to say it: There are two different Elks, but only one Moose. And that's the reason why I call it Moose.

The Swedish name for Moose is Älg.

Beavers in Sweden

Where to see Beavers in Sweden: Beavers are common in the central parts of Sweden and can be found in most rivers and lakes. There are less beavers in the Northern parts of the country and not many beavers South of Stockholm.

How to see Beavers in Sweden: Beavers are nocturnal and aware of humans. They always live close to water, so you need to look for them in a lake, river or stream. Beavers have no natural enemies in the water, so if you are in a boat, they don't recognize you as a threat. In this way you can get a lot closer without disturbing them.

Are there beavers in this lake? The easiest way to find out is to look for their characteristic gnaw marks on trees. Aspen and Birch are their favorites. The next step is to look for a Beaver lodge and if you are in a stream you can look for a dam. If you see fresh sticks on top of the lodge or dam then you know that the Beavers are around.

The best way to see them is to wait near their lodge at around sunset. Stay still at a respectful distance. Be quiet. Have patience. There is a good chance that they will suddenly show up in the water in front of you.

Dusk and dawn is when they are most active.

To make sure you see them you can join a local guide on a Beaver Safari.

Facts about Beavers in Sweden

The European beaver is a species of beaver, which was once widespread in Sweden, but it was hunted to near extinction by the end of the nineteenth century. It was hunted both for fur and for castoreum, a secretion of its scent gland believed to have medicinal properties. Between 1922 and 1939 approximately eighty individuals were reintroduced into Sweden from Norway.

Since the reintroduction the Beaver population has increased to an estimated 150,000 Beavers and it is now returning to much of its former range.

Arctic Fox in Sweden

Arctic Foxes can be found in the mountains of North-Western Sweden, particularly in the alpine areas of Jämtland, Västerbotten and Norrbotten.

How to see Arctic Fox in Sweden: Most Arctic Fox populations are found in remote areas that can't be reached by car. One of the hotspots worth mentioning is the Helags mountains in Härjedalen. Helags mountain station offer guided tours to watch for Arctic Fox at their dens where you can expect to see them. Another place worth checking out is Stekenjokk between Jämtland and Västerbotten. During Summer you can drive across this area on the Wildnerness Road to search for Arctic Foxes and other wildlife.

Facts about Arctic Foxes in Sweden

The arctic fox is also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox. It has a deep thick fur and is well adapted to living in Arctic environments. They form monogamous pairs during the breeding season and usually stay together in family groups of multiple generations in complex underground dens.

White and blue foxes: Arctic Fox comes in two different color variations, one called white and one called blue. The white variation is white in Winter and grey with brown back, legs and face in Summer. The blue variation has a blueish-gray fur throughout the year. Both colour variations can exist in the same litter if the parents have genes for both. The white foxes are well camouflaged against the snow and therefore better adapted to survive. Most of the Arctic Fox in Sweden are of the white variation.

Wolverines in Sweden

Most people seem to think the Wolverine is a cartoon or movie character. It is perhaps the least known mammal in Sweden.

Wolverine can be found primarily in remote reaches of Sweden's mountainous regions. Like in Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Jämtland, but now also further South in the forested regions of Dalarna and Hälsingland.

How to see Wolverines in Sweden: Well, it is not going to be easy. Most people see them at a distance by chance while skiing or snowmobiling in the mountains during Winter. They are easier to spot against the snowy white background. Bring binoculars.

In recent years the Wolverine population has spread South-East into the forested regions of Central Sweden, namely into Dalarna, Värmland and Gävleborg. One of the Southernmost populations of Wolverine is in Gyllbergen in Dalarna. The reason they return to these regions is likely thanks to the Wolves comeback who leave a lot of leftovers for Wolverines and other carnivores.

Facts about Wolverines in Sweden

The wolverine is the largest terrestrial member of the weasel family. It is a larger cousin to otters, weasels and mink. The wolverine has a broad head, small eyes and short rounded ears with dark brown fur, and often has a lighter-colored face mask and stripe running down both sides of its body. The wolverine is powerfully built and has short legs with wide feet for traveling across the snow. The wolverine is a good tree climber and also a good swimmer.

The Wolverine has a reputation for being greedy, but it is actually quite a bad hunter. Wolverines are opportunistic feeders which means they eat a variety of foods depending on availability. They primarily scavenge dead animals. However, they do take down animals much larger than themselves, including Reindeer, when snow conditions are in their favor.

Wolverines are territorial animals and defend large, gender-exclusive territories. Male and female territories overlap each other, and they have strong family bonds. Young wolverines are called cubs or kits. The cubs keep to the mother until spring arrives the year after they were born. A male wolverine will interact with his cubs even after they have struck out on their own.

Female wolverines give birth during winter in dens that provide security and a buffer to cold winter temperatures. These dens are generally tunneled through snow and are associated with uprooted trees, avalanche debris, and boulders, often in remote alpine cirques above tree line.

Lynx in Sweden

Lynx is perhaps the most difficult mammal to spot in Sweden. Few people ever get to see a Lynx in the wild.

Good news is that Lynx can be found all across Sweden. Some of the more densely populated areas are actually around Stockholm in Sörmland and Uppland and in Bergslagen.

How to see Lynx in Sweden: Lynx are most active around dawn and dusk, especially during early mornings. That's also when most people tend to see them. If you walk through the forest and a Lynx sees you as a threat, the Lynx will likely climb a tree and wait for your to pass by. So it may be a good idea to look upwards once in a while as you stroll through the woods. But driving around peering across fields and meadows around sunrise is probably your best bet.

There are certain areas where you may have a bigger chance to actually spot a Lynx, but these areas are often kept a secret to avoid having too many people visiting. To visit one of these secret spots you can join a Lynx watching expedition in Swedish Lapland.

Facts about Lynx in Sweden

The Lynx is the largest cat animal in Europe and the third largest predator in Sweden after the Brown Bear and Wolf. It is the largest of the four lynx species in the World.

It is a strict carnivore, consuming one or two kilograms of meat every day. This extremely efficient hunter uses fine-tuned techniques to bring down animals even larger than its own size, delivering a fatal bite to the neck or snout of an unsuspecting deer. In Northern Sweden Reindeer is their main prey while Roedeer is their main prey in the South.

The Lynx has powerful legs, with slightly longer hind limbs adapted for springing. The large ears are adorned with conspicuous black tufts, and the long cheek hair hangs down to form a facial ruff, appearing almost mane-like in winter. The coat is long and extremely dense, especially over the winter, and is more variable in colouration than in any other felid.

The Lynx males are inhabiting large home ranges, within which one or more females reside. While female territories tend to exhibit little overlap, male territories often overlap to some extent, although males normally avoid each other. The lynx uses various scent marks, including urine, faeces and scrapes to mark territory and also to communicate with neighbours.

During mating season, usually by mid-March, both the males and females call to each other frequently.

Towards the end of the gestation period, which lasts 67 to 74 days, the female finds a sheltered den to give birth to 1 - 4 kittens. At three months old the young are weaned and begin to accompany the female, eventually leaving just before the next mating season.

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Wild animals in Sweden and where to see them - WildSweden - wildlife adventures in Sweden

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and where to see them Don't go straight to the zoo just because it is easy. It is far more rewarding to see animals in the wild. But where do you find wild animals in Sweden? Where in Sweden can you see Moose? And is it possible to find a Wolf?

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Which is the first European country to establish national parks?

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Which is the first European country to establish national parks?

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In 1909 Sweden became the first European country to establish national parks. Then, as now, the idea was to preserve pristine nature for present and future generations, but also to make national parks inviting for tourism and outdoor activities.

Previously national parks were created, in part, on the basis of romantic ideals about nature. Now selection is based on international, scientific criteria for what nature merits in terms of protection and interesting attractions. One difference from before is size. New national parks should be large, untouched areas that showcase a typical Swedish landscape.

The land in national parks is owned by the state. The government and Parliament make decisions about establishing new national parks. The selection and preparations are handled by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency together with county administrative boards and other local parties. It is important for local residents to participate in efforts to form new national parks.

National parks are a legacy we have in common that should be taken care of in the best possible way for us and future generations.

The gold star is the symbol of Sweden's national parks. It indicates that the parks represent the finest and most remarkable examples of Swedish nature. For the past, present and future.

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Why do we need national parks? | National park Facts | Sweden's national parks

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National parks are small fragments of the nature that once covered all of Sweden, and that makes them worthy of protection. They safeguard the diversity of ecosystems and give visitors an opportunity to enjoy natural surroundings and relax in them. They represent the most valuable nature in Sweden.

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Mountains

About 90 percent of the national parks' combined surface area is in mountainous regions. Here you can hike from mountain birch forests or ancient coniferous forests across windswept heaths and up onto glistening glaciers.

Lakes and watercourses

Sweden has one of the greatest concentrations of lakes in the world. Almost one-tenth of its surface consists of lakes. Sparkling fresh water environments are present in most national parks.

Coast and sea

The national parks along the coast offer great contrasts: Skuleskogen's uplifted coast, the sandbanks of the Haparanda archipelago and Kosterhavet's briny rocks and rare submerged life.

Broad-leaved deciduous forest

Forests of beech, ash, oak and elm trees cover less than one percent of Sweden. The light-filled, leafy spaces teem with life, including many rare animals and plants. These forests can be found in Söderåsen, Dalby Söderskog and Ängsö.

Wetland

About one-fifth of Sweden's surface is covered by wetlands such as bogs, fens and marshes. They are vital for many birds, like the Eurasian curlew whose whistling sends vibrations through summer evenings.

Coniferous forest

The dark green cover of forests of pine and spruce dominates Sweden's nature, including the large national parks outside the mountainous areas. In Tyresta and Muddus/Muttos, you can see traces of forest fires that once left their stamp on the landscape.

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Sweden's six major habitat types | National park Facts | Sweden's national parks

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Sweden's 29 national parks represent a magnificent collection of contrasting landscape types and experiences. In these national parks, you can wander through leafy beech woods and imposing mountains and experience thriving coral reefs, rolling sand dunes, magical forests and much, much more! Get ready for an exciting encounter with Sweden's finest natural environments!

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About the Swedish National Parks

Choose what you want to listen to here, either to some general information about the swedish national parks, or more about each park.

More about each national park

Here you can listen to a brief introduction of each national park.

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Listen | National park Facts | Sweden's national parks

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Sweden's 29 national parks represent a magnificent collection of contrasting landscape types and experiences. In these national parks, you can wander through leafy beech woods and imposing mountains and experience thriving coral reefs, rolling sand dunes, magical forests and much, much more! Get ready for an exciting encounter with Sweden's finest natural environments!

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Sweden's 29 national parks represent a magnificent collection of contrasting landscape types and experiences. In these national parks, you can wander through leafy beech woods and imposing mountains and experience thriving coral reefs, rolling sand dunes, magical forests and much, much more! Get ready for an exciting encounter with Sweden's finest natural environments!

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National park facts for unplugged team work

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National park facts for unplugged team work