Wildlife and habitat

A refuge alive with movement.

Across mountains, rivers, tundra, and coastal plain, wildlife follows the changing light, water, food, and weather of the Arctic year.

A living northern ecosystem

Thriving, abundant wildlife

Every species is part of a larger pattern.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge supports an unusually broad range of life because its landscapes meet and overlap. Alpine country, boreal forest, wetlands, river corridors, and coastal habitats provide different conditions through the year.

Wildlife here is not simply a collection of separate species. Seasonal movement connects feeding grounds, nesting areas, calving territories, waterways, and winter range across a vast northern system.

Arctic mountains and open tundra beneath a clear sky

Habitat in motion

Many environments, one connected refuge.

Wildlife depends on the relationships between places. Rivers carry nutrients, wetlands shelter young birds, tundra plants sustain grazers, and coastal areas provide important seasonal habitat.

CaribouLong-distance herds move between seasonal ranges shaped by food, snow, and calving conditions.

BirdlifeMigratory birds use wetlands, rivers, and coastal plain habitats during a short northern summer.

PredatorsWolves, bears, and smaller carnivores reflect the health and availability of prey across the landscape.

Begin with the refuge overview

A field guide to relationships

Wildlife stories are habitat stories.

To understand abundance, look closely at the places that support life and the seasonal pressures that shape each journey.

Caribou country

Caribou travel across broad ranges, linking calving grounds, grazing areas, rivers, and traditional routes.

Birds of the north

Geese, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds arrive during the brief season when food and nesting habitat are available.

Rivers and wetlands

Open water and wet ground provide food, shelter, and travel corridors for fish, waterfowl, and mammals.

Predator and prey

Predators participate in a dynamic food web whose balance changes with weather, movement, and abundance.

Coastal life

The coastal plain brings together terrestrial and marine influences, making it especially important during summer.

Plants under pressure

Low-growing tundra plants must complete their cycles quickly, supporting insects, herbivores, and migrating birds.

How to read the landscape

Follow the connections, not just the sightings.

A species account becomes more meaningful when it is placed within the wider system that sustains it.

Locate the habitatAsk which landscape type provides food, shelter, or breeding space.
Notice the seasonConsider how light, snow, thaw, and temperature affect movement.
Trace the routeFollow the rivers, migration paths, and ranges that connect distant places.
Keep the human contextRecognize the long-standing cultural relationships woven through this living landscape.

Questions, answered

Why is the refuge important for wildlife?

Its large, connected habitats allow many species to complete seasonal cycles across mountains, tundra, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas.

What makes caribou central to the story?

Caribou movements connect habitat, weather, food systems, and enduring cultural relationships across the broader region.

Do all wildlife remain in the refuge year-round?

No. Many species migrate or range across large areas, while others use the refuge during particular seasons or life stages.

How does climate affect Arctic wildlife?

Changing snow, ice, vegetation, water conditions, and timing can alter access to food and the places animals use throughout the year.

Where can I continue learning?

Use the refuge overview, People & History section, and research resources for broader ecological and cultural context.