Wildlife of Iceland at Vestrahorn

Reindeers

Reindeers are a type of deer native to the area near the arctic circle and are the largest wild land mammals in Iceland. They were imported by royal decree to Iceland from Norway in the years 1771–1787 and introduced into the landscape, with the intention of creating a reindeer farming industry. 

However, this plan failed, and most of the reindeer died or were hunted. The only surviving population is in the east and northeast of the country, where they have adapted to the harsh and challenging conditions of Iceland.

There are now up to 5-7 thousand reindeers living in Iceland. You can often spot reindeers in the wild near Vestrahorn especially in the winter months when they are most likely to venture down from the highlands.

What They Look Like

The weight of a male reindeer in Iceland is about 160-185 kilograms, and the weight of a female reindeer is about 80-120 kilograms.

Their thick fur helps them stave off the harsh Icelandic winter and blend in with the environment. Their fur is brownish gray on the head, back, and legs, but white on the belly, the males also grow a magnificent white beard during mating season. The hairs of their fur are hollow, granting them exceptional insulation qualities and also helps them float in water when crossing rivers.

Reindeers are the only type of deers where both the males and females grow antlers, the antlers fall off each year and are grown anew. The males grow significantly larger antlers than the females and use them to fight other male contenders during mating season.

How They Behave

Reindeer are ruminants and therefore have a four-chambered stomach, their diet mostly consisting of lichen, sedges and grasses.

The reindeer mating season starts in September and lasts 3-5 weeks. In every reindeer herd there is one dominant male reindeer. The gestation period for reindeers is 7 ½ months and in almost all cases the female reindeer births only one calf. After birthing the calf the females lose their antlers and chew on them for a source of calcium for production of milk for their calf.

Fun facts

• Reindeer can keep an even body temperature in -40°C without increasing their metabolism.
• Reindeer are suspected to be able to pick up the scent of food through 60 cm of packed snow.
• Reindeer have a special tendon in their feet that makes a distinct clicking sound when they walk, which helps them stay together in the dark or in a blizzard.

Seals

The seal is definitely a strong contender for the cutest animal to be found at Vestrahorn. There are two main types of seals living near the Icelandic coast all year round, the Harbour seal and the Grey seal. Although there are four types of seals that make the occasional visit to our shores, the Hooded seal, the Harp seal, the Arctic ringed seal and the Bearded seal.

You can spot seals all year round, though the summer time gives you the best chances. The best time to spot seals is during the low tide, you can use our widget here to see when the low tide times at Vestrahorn.

What They Look Like

Harbour seals are relatively small with adult males being around 1.8 meters long and 130 kg. They have a rounded head and a spotted coat that can vary in color from white or gray to brown or black.

Grey seals, on the other hand, are larger and more robust in appearance, reaching around 2.5 meters and 300 kg. They have a more elongated head with a straight profile and their coat tends to be darker.

A good way to tell them apart is to remember that the head of the Harbour seal is similar to the head of a cat and the Grey seal is like the head of a dog.

How They Behave

Seals are known for their playful and curious nature. They can often be seen lounging on rocks or beaches, you can use our interactive map of Vestrahorn to locate the best spot to find them. Seals are excellent swimmers, using their flippers to navigate through the water with ease.

They primarily feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans, diving to great depths to catch their prey. Seals are also known for their vocalizations, which can range from barks and grunts to more complex sounds used during mating season.

Fun facts

• Seals can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes while diving.
• Seals have around 40-50% fat percentage, helping them keep warm in the cold water.
• The female seals are called cows, the males are called bulls and young ones are called pups.

Artic foxes

One of the most challenging wildlife sightings at Vestrahorn is the timid and cunning arctic fox. The Arctic fox is the only native land mammal in Iceland. These resilient creatures have been living in Iceland for around 10,000 years, having arrived during the last ice age. There are estimated to be 11 thousand Arctic foxes in Iceland.

What They Look Like

Arctic foxes are small, with males typically weighing around 3.5 kg and females around 2.9 kg. They have short legs, a rounded snout, and a bushy tail. Their fur changes color with the seasons. In winter, some foxes have a white coat (making them very challenging to spot in the snow), while the majority have a brown or gray coat all year round (blending seamlessly with the rocky and vegetated landscapes). Their fur is dense and layered, providing excellent insulation.

How They Behave

Arctic foxes are omnivores, primarily eating birds, eggs and small mammals like mice. They are also known to scavenge and can survive on a varied diet depending on availability. They are immensely skilled hunters, and rely heavily on their sense of smell. The mating season begins in February and last until April, and after a gestation period of about 52 days, the female gives birth to a litter of 5-10 young ones called "kits". The pups are weaned after about 6-8 weeks.

Arctic foxes can also be quite a nuisance for Icelandic farmers by attacking their livestock. For a certain time of year arctic foxes in Iceland have a price set on their heads (or tails rather), encouraging government contracted hunters to keep their population in check by hunting them and turning in there tails for their bounty. Though there are special havens in Iceland where hunting foxes is strictly prohibited all year round.

The Arctic fox truly is a remarkable example of adaptation and survival in one of the world’s most challenging environments. If you’re lucky, you might spot one of these elusive creatures during your visit to Vestrahorn!

Fun facts

• The Icelandic word for arctic fox is “Tófa”.
• Arctic foxes can withstand temperatures as low as -50°.
• They are generally solitary animals but can be seen in pairs during the breeding season.