What's Inside...
ALASKA
WILDLIFE GUIDE
return to home
port
|
In a place where the wildlife is perhaps
the most abundant in the US., it’s a
challenge to keep track of all the
different creatures and critters you’ll
encounter on your voyage. So, to make it
easier for you to identify and
understand Alaska’s wildlife
—
on land or at sea
—
we’ve compiled this must-keep wildlife guide for
you to take with you on your cruise to Alaska.
|
|
IN THE SKY
| |
|
BALD EAGLE
—
While the bald eagle remains a
threatened species in the lower 48
states, this majestic bird thrives in
Alaska. Not only is this raptor big,
measuring 32 to 40 inches long with a
wingspan of up to seven feet, but it’s
fast, reaching flight speeds between 35
and 44 miles per hour. These birds of
prey eat fish, waterfowl and small
mammals. And they’re not bald
—
look for the distinctive white head.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
LOONS
—There are plenty of loons in Alaska
—
five species, to be exact. These
“spirits of the wilderness” are a vital
part of Alaska’s wilderness and are
known for their distinctive yodeling
call. (It’s only the male loon that
sings.) Loons are fast, flying at speeds
of up to 60 miles per hour, and are
among the best diving birds in the
world, with the ability to stay
underwater for more than a minute.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
PTARMIGAN
—
Alaska’s state bird is a true chameleon,
turning white in the winter and brown in
the summer to camouflage itself from
predators. There are actually three
species of ptarmigans in Alaska, with a
population that fluctuates between
superabundant to nearly nonexistent in
just a few years. |
|
ON LAND |
|
|
| |
|
BROWN BEAR — What’s the
difference between the brown bear and
the grizzly? Brown bears are the ones
you’re more likely to see on your
voyage, since they live where the salmon
do, along the southwestern coast and
Gulf of Alaska. Grizzlies are simply
brown bears that live inland. Brown
bears can weigh up to 800 pounds and
reach a height of up to eight feet when
standing on their hind legs. And they’re
fast, able to run 35 to 40 miles per
hour. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
WOLF — Wolves are highly social
animals, which live in packs that
include parents and yearling pups.
You’ve heard of the term, ‘Alpha Male.’
Well, dominance of the wolf pack is a
hierarchy with a separate rank order
among females and males, and the alpha
male is number one among the males. It
is also a little known fact that the
alpha female, who is the lead female, is
just as in .& control as the male. In
Alaska, the territory of a pack averages
600 square miles of habitat.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
MOOSE — Did you know that moose
are the largest member of the deer
species? These horse—sized animals can
be found throughout Alaska, along
highways and even in cities like
Anchorage. The adult male (the bull) can
weight upwards of 1,600 pounds with
antlers that typically measure four to
five feet from end to end. The female
(the cow) births her calves in mid—May
and is highly protective of her young —
so don’t get in her way. |
|
IN THE WATER |
|
|
| |
|
HUMPBACK WHALE — The humpback is
one of the world’s most endangered
species of whales. They’re known to
surface and breech throughout the Inside
Passage, Prince William Sound and
Glacier Bay, and are able to stay
underwater for up to 30 minutes. The
humpback can live up to 95 years, and
consumes between 2,000 and 9,000 pounds
of fish and krill a day. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
KILLER WHALE (ORCA) —The killer
whale, also known as the Orca, isn’t
actually a whale at all. They’re the
largest species of the dolphin family,
are highly social and have established
social hierarchies, with pods that range
from five to 30 orcas led by females.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
SEA OTTER — The sea otter has the
thickest fur in the animal kingdom and
depends on air trapped in the fur to
help them maintain their body
temperature. A member of the weasel
family, the sea otter is one of the only
mammals to use tools, often relying on
small rocks or other shellfish to pry
prey from rocks, and hammer or pry open
their food |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
STELLER SEA LION — This “Lion of
the Sea” earned its name because of its
distinctive bellowing roar. As the
largest sea lions, males can reach
eleven feet in length and weigh up to
2,200 pounds. The Steller Sea Lion uses
its flippers as rudders for steering,
and travels up to 250 miles from home in
their search for food. |
|
|
|
return to top |
|
|
|
| |
**All
promotions/pricing and cabin space is subject to availability at
the time of booking and the prices shown or quoted at this web
site are for reference purposes only. These rates are for new,
individual bookings only. The actual price of your cruise may
vary. Prices quoted and availability are NOT GUARANTEED until
confirmed by the cruise line AND a deposit or full payment if
required is made.
 Discounted
savings off cruise fare only. Port charges (NCF), taxes,
airfare, air taxes, transfers and any other costs associated
with your cruise arenot discounted. Discount limited to select
cruises including holiday sailings. Not every ship, not every
sailing is discounted. Call us to find out about your cruise
selection. Travel Direct Corporation is not responsible
for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or
any errors or omissions in the content of this web site. Some
restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply. * shipboard
credit and or cabin upgrades as offered by the cruise line for
select sailings or departures only. Call us for details.
|
|
|
Canadian Prices Available