Brown Bear & Black Bear The vast majority of Alaska's mainland, along with Kodiak Island, is home to salmon-loving brown bears. Black bears can be found in most forested areas of the state, and even in urban areas like Anchorage. The best time to watch for bears is in the summer, during dawn and dusk hours when they are actively searching for food. Chris McLennan/Travel Alaska (bears), Thomas Sbampato/Travel Alaska (caribou), /Michael DeYoung/Travel Alaska (sheep), shutterstock.com (puffin), adobestock.com (moose) All wildlife in Alaska should be respected. Please do not approach, feed, or disrupt wild animals at any time. Bald Eagle Alaska is home to around 30,000 bald eagles. These stunning raptors enjoy the coastal areas but can be found throughout the state. Caribou These large members of the deer family roam across tundra and mountainous regions, with the largest herds in the Arctic region. Dall Sheep Often seen along the meadows and rocky slopes of alpine regions, these horned mammals can be spotted in Southcentral, Interior, and the Arctic. Horned Puffin Over 1.2 million horned puffins call Alaska's islands and coastal areas home. Another species, the tufted puffin, also lives here. Moose The Alaska Moose is one of the state's most commonly seen animals. Found in just about every region, even densely populated neighborhoods, it's likely you'll cross paths with these mammals. Sea Otter The coastal areas of the Inside Passage, through to the Aleutian Islands, are home to adorable sea otters that are spotted year-round. Steller Sea Lion Living along the Aleutian chain and the southern coast of Alaska, Steller sea lions' impressive vocalizations sound more like roars than the barks of California sea lions. Wolf Wolves can be found in every region of Alaska, covering a range of about 85% of the state. However, these pack animals are not commonly seen because they avoid people as much as they can. TRAVELALASKA.COM 39
Alaska Official State Vacation Planner 2024: Page 39
