What are “Rock Rabbits?” Ever wonder how and if amphibians live in the subarctic? Learn about the ecology and varied inhabitants of Denali’s unique subarctic environment by reading these Natural History Notes, compiled by Denali naturalist Nan Eagleson.
Explore a wide variety of Alaskan natural history topics from porcupines to pond dwellers and wolves to white spruce. These topics will take you on an exploratory journey. If you have questions or want to learn more about the natural history of Denali, contact us.
Natural History Notes
- Caribou: Caribou typify “the spirit of the north.”
- Insects In Winter: Winter presents many challenges, but for insects these challenges are particularly unique.
- Shrews: The smallest four-legged predators on the tundra may be shrews, but they are by no means the most timid!
- Black Bear Hibernation: Among hibernators, black bears have an extremely good survival rate.
- Moose In Winter: The usual challenges of cold temps, deep snow and sparse food are compounded for moose when combined with human travails.
- Mountain Sheep: Few animals are as well adapted to extremes of elevation and temperature as North America’s magnificent wild sheep.
- Dall Sheep: Learn more about the world’s only wild, white sheep.
- Lynx: Hunters of the northern forest.
- Marten: This member of the weasel family originated in the Old World, but is now found around the globe.
- Evergreens: Only two conifers exist across much of the subarctic – the hardy White and Black Spruce.
- Great Horned Owls: Claiming the most widespread range of all North American owls.
- Coyotes: Learn about these amazingly adaptable canines.
- Red Fox: Vulpes vulpes occur throughout most of Alaska.
- Snowy Owls: These beautiful owls breed on arctic tundras throughout the world.
- Tundra Mice: Learn the truth about lemmings, also known as tundra mice.
- Pond Dwellers: The wood frog is the only amphibian that lives north of the Arctic Circle.
- Porcupines: Alaska’s second largest rodent.
- Pika: Discover the fascinating world of these “Rock Rabbits”.
- Wolves: The last remnants of this wilderness animal still thrive in Alaska.
- Muskrats: Ondatra zibethica are large rodents of the Alaskan waterways.
- Spruce Grouse: “Spruce chickens” don’t taste like chicken!
- Ravens: Raven romance is in the air!
- Golden Eagles: One of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world.
- Snowshoe Hare: Hares are a vital link in the food chain.
- Moose Control: Managing natural populations…
- Sandhill Cranes: Long-legged and long-necked, cranes are among the tallest birds in the world.
- Butterflies: At least 78 species flit around the Alaska countryside.
- Peregrine Falcon: The Peregrine Falcon is on the comeback trail.
- Arctic Grayling: Sailfish Of The North: Alaska’s wilderness aristocrat.
- Arctic Fox: Alopax lagopus has a wide distribution, a testament to its superb adaptation to cold and the wide variety of food it will eat.
- First People Of The Arctic: Learn about the various people of the Arctic from 30,000 years ago to the 21st century.
- Marmots: Alaska’s whistler.
- Frozen Frogs: Frozen Frogs?!
- Eagles: There are more bald eagles in Alaska than in all the other 49 states combined.
- Boreal Owls: Alaska’s smallest owl.
- Movement Of Global Proportions Begins: Alaska is a crossroads for bird migration.
- Northern Flying Squirrels: Fairly common, yet rarely seen night time visitors.
