Some of the Alaska wildlife you may see while visiting Denali National Park and other areas of Alaska on your vacation may include:

Bears

Black bears are the most abundant and widely distributed of the three species of North American bears. In Alaska, black bears occur over most of the forested areas of the state.

In Southeast Alaska, black bears occupy most islands with the exceptions of Admiralty, Baranof, Chichagof, and Kruzof. Black bears are the smallest of the North American bears. Three colors are common in Alaska. Black is the most often encountered color, but brown or cinnamon colored bears are often seen in south central Alaska and the southeastern mainland.

Grizzly bears occur throughout Alaska except on the islands south of Frederick Sound in southeastern Alaska, the islands west of Unimak in the Aleutian Chain, and the islands of the Bering Sea. Grizzly bears are very much a part of the Alaska scene and are a favorite topic with most hunters, hikers, photographers, and fishers.

The term "brown bear" is commonly used to refer to the members of this species found in coastal areas where salmon is the primary food source. Brown bears found inland and in northern habitats are often called "grizzlies."

Alaska grizzly bears have been known to live 34 years in the wild, though this is rare. Usually, old males may reach 22 years. Old females may live to 26.

Caribou

Caribou live in the arctic tundra, mountain tundra, and northern forests of Alaska. The world population is about 5 million. In Europe, caribou are called reindeer, but in Alaska and Canada only the domestic forms are called reindeer. Caribou have large, concave hoofs that spread widely to support the animal in snow and soft tundra. The feet also function as paddles when caribou swim.

Caribou are the only member of the deer family in which both sexes grow antlers. Antlers of adult bulls are large and massive; those of adult cows are much shorter and are usually more slender and irregular.

Dall Sheep

Dall Sheep inhabit the mountain ranges of Alaska. They use the ridges, meadows, and steep slopes for feeding and resting. When danger approaches they flee to the rocks and crags to elude pursuers. They are generally high country animals.

Male Dall sheep are called rams. They are distinguished by massive curling horns. The females, called ewes, have shorter, more slender, slightly curved horns. Rams resemble ewes until they are about 3 years old. After that, continued horn growth makes them easily recognizable. Horns grow steadily during spring, summer, and early fall. In late fall or winter horn growth slows and eventually ceases.

This start-and-stop growth of horns results in a pattern of rings called annuli, which are spaced along the length of the horn. Age can be accurately determined by counting the annuli. As rams mature, their horns form a circle when seen from the side. Rams reach a full circle or "curl" in seven to eight years.

Moose

The Moose is the world's largest member of the deer family and the Alaska race is the largest of all the moose. They are most abundant in recently burned areas that contain willow and birch shrubs, on timberline plateaus, and along the major rivers of South central and Interior Alaska.

Moose are long-legged and heavy bodied with a drooping nose, a "bell" or dewlap under the chin, and a small tail. Their color ranges from golden brown to almost black, depending upon the season and the age of the animal. Only the bulls have antlers.

The largest moose antlers in North America come from Alaska. In the wild, moose rarely live more than 16 years. Antlers are shed as early as November, but mostly in December and January.

Mountain Goat

The Mountain Goat is the single North American representative of a widespread group of goat-like ungulates. All are characterized by relatively short horns and a fondness for living in rugged terrain. In Alaska, mountain goats occur throughout the southeastern Panhandle and continue north and west along the coastal mountains to Cook Inlet. In Southcentral Alaska they are generally confined to the Chugach and Wrangell mountains, although their range extends into the Talkeetna Mountains nearly to Denali National Park.

Mountain goats are one of the two species of all white, hoofed, large mammals found in Alaska. They are often confused with young and female Dall sheep, but are easily distinguished by their longer hair, deeper chest, and black horns.

Eagles

The Bald Eagle of Alaska's waterways and the soaring Golden Eagle of the Interior are two of this state's most magnificent birds of prey. Long valued for their aesthetic beauty, eagles are now recognized for their biological importance as scavengers and predators in the natural environment. These raptors deserve our protection and respect.

The Bald Eagle is so named for its conspicuous white head and tail. The distinctive white adult plumage is not attained until 5 or more years of age. Immature birds lack this easily identifiable characteristic and can be confused with the Golden Eagle.

The Bald Eagle is Alaska's largest resident bird of prey. Bald Eagles are more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the United States. The Alaska population has been estimated to include 30,000 birds at the time of fledging. Bald Eagles often use and rebuild the same nest each year. Nest trees are usually close to water, afford a clear view of the surrounding area, and often provide sparse cover above the nest.

Eagles in Southcentral Alaska nest in old cottonwood trees near water. They do not attain adult plumage and breed until 4 or 5 years of age.