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Dall Sheep

Alaska has over 430 species of birds, the largest population of bald eagles in the nation, and the largest carnivorous land mammal in the world (the brown bear; the polar bear is considered a marine mammal). From pygmy shrews that weigh less than a penny to gray whales that weigh anywhere from 16 to 45 tons, Alaska is the Last Frontier for animals as well as people. Species endangered elsewhere are still abundant in Alaska.

Alaskan animals to know

• The Muskox is related to sheep and goats. They have changed little since the ice age and are well adapted to living on the Arctic tundra. Muskox have long hair with fine underhair. This soft fur (called qiviut) is often gathered to make into clothing.
• The Moose is the largest of the deer family. Moose thrive in forests and river thickets. Like most members of the deer family, only bull moose have antlers for use in courtship displays. Moose were hunted by Native Alaskans and early explorers as an important source of food.
• Brown Bears live throughout Alaska except for the far western islands of the Aleutian chain. They have a dish-shaped face and a hump on their back above their shoulder. Bear cubs are born in a winter den, without hair and weighing less than a pound. Brown bears eat many types of food including salmon, berries, grasses, roots, and cow parsnip.
• Black Bears live in the forested areas of Alaska. Black bears have brown pointed muzzles. They eat moose calves, plants, salmon, berries, and dead meat.
  
• Caribou live in lowland and alpine tundra and the northern forests of Alaska. They are members of the deer family and have split hooves to support them on snow and help them swim. Unlike many members of the deer family, both males and females have antlers that they shed each year.
• Bald Eagles get their name from the white feathers on their head. These feathers do not turn white until the eagle is four or five years old. Their diet primarily consists of fish, small mammals, waterfowl, crabs, urchins, and already dead animals. Bald eagles can be found primarily along Alaska's coasts.
• Halibut live in the deep waters, on the floor of the ocean. One of their eyes migrates to the topside of the fish as it ages, so it can more effectively lie flat on the ocean floor. The topside of a halibut tends to be the color of the ocean bottom, giving them natural camouflage from predators.
• The Willow Ptarmigan is Alaska's state bird. Their wings are white all year, but their whole body turns white in the winter. Their feet are covered in feathers for insulation. 
  
• The Wolf lives over 85% of Alaska in a wide variety of habitats. They range in color from black to almost white. They are highly social animals, living in packs with an alpha male and an alpha female. Wolves typically eat moose, caribou, Dall sheep, deer, mountain goats, beaver, hares, rodents, and sometimes fish and birds. 
  
• The Polar Bear is a marine mammal, living most of its life in the water. Polar bears live near the ice pack, migrating with it in the spring and fall. Polar bear fur is hollow, to keep it light for swimming and hunting in the water. This hair structure also allows for the sun's warming UV rays to reach the bear's black skin. Polar bears eat ringed seals, walrus, and beluga whales.
• Gray Whales migrate between California and Alaska every year, making a 10,000 mile journey! Newborn calves are typically 16 feet in length, and can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. Gray whales are bottom-feeders, laying on their sides and filtering crustaceans through their hairy baleen plates.
• Dall Sheep live on open alpine ridges and meadows. Male sheep have large curly horns and female sheep have smaller horns that are slightly curved. A sheep's age can be found my counting the rings on its horns. Dall sheep eat grasses and sedges.