FJORD WILDLIFE

What animals thrive both in and around these unique water features?

1 HARBOUR SEAL

These seals can grow up to 1.5 metres in length and congregate on the surrounding rocks during breeding season. Around 10,000 live along Norwegian coasts and venture significant distances up fjords.

2 GREENLAND SHARK

In deep areas of the eastern North Atlantic, these sharks venture inland through fjords. They live in cold waters and so are most likely to be seen in fjords during winter months.

CANADA OVER 200 FJORDS

Fjords can be seen on the north, east and west coasts of Canada. The majority are located along the country’s north coast.

CHILE 11 FJORDS

Chilean fjords formed at the southwest coast of South America. They cover an area of 930 miles.

3 KILLER WHALE

Killer whales spend around 40 per cent of their time travelling, giving them enough time to explore fjords. Killer whales use the more enclosed space here to hunt for herring.

GREENLAND OVER 140 FJORDS

The largest fjord in Greenland is also the largest in the world. Scoresby Sund is 217 miles long.

4 COLD-WATER CORAL

At the very bottom of fjords, coral reefs contribute to an ecosystem of fish, plankton and sea anemones. A limited number of species can live here due to the extremely high water pressure. Most coral reefs are tropical, living in light, shallow waters, but in fjords, coldwater coral thrives in the darkest depths.

NORWAY OVER 1,700 FJORDS

Norway is home to a large majority of the world’s fjords – it’s the country where the term ‘fjord’ originates from.

NEW ZEALAND 15 FJORDS

The best known fjord of New Zealand

is Milford Sound. This is located at the southwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island.

7 BLACK OYSTERCATCHER

Fjord birds, such as those inhabiting Kenai Fjords in Alaska, have adapted to be better swimmers than fliers due to the narrow airspace. 191 bird species live here, including the black oystercatcher. These birds hunt for food such as mussels in the sheltered, rocky landscapes.

5 MOUNTAIN GOAT

The steep surrounding mountains are an environment that suits mountain goats. In Alaskan fjords, these animals of the antelope family occupy the extreme slopes as a form of defence. This habitat puts them out of reach of predators that struggle to navigate these parts.

6 FISH VARIETY

Many fish species thrive in the world’s fjords. In Norway, salmon, cod, coalfish and pollack are found in the highest abundance. Around 600,000 Atlantic salmon enter fjords in Norway every year.