Fauna

Some of the animals you'll encounter at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve truly seem larger than life—undoubtedly the stuff of Alaskan legend! Other examples of wildlife seem much more commonplace and perhaps even familiar. Here is a rundown on some of the park's fabled and better- known species:

Moose (Alces alces): The largest member of the deer family is actually a relative newcomer to Glacier Bay; in fact, the first moose was spotted here as recently as the late 1960s. Despite their tremendous size, moose can appear and disappear in thick brush with surprising stealth. They are usually solitary, except for cows (female moose) with calves in tow, during the fall mating season. Bulls, which are distinguishable by their large antlers, can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. Cows typically give birth in the spring to one or two small delicate reddish calves, though usually no more than one of these survive. A calf will stay with its mother for two years before the cow drives it off as she prepares to have more young. The diet of a moose includes willow leaves, grasses, herbs and aquatic vegetation.

Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus): Arguably the most dapper of the park's mammals, mountain goats sport thick white coats of hollow hairs, accented by black horns and hooves. Goats may have been among the first land animals to repopulate the Glacier Bay area after the ice retreated, coming over the mountains from Lynn Canal to the east. They are perfectly at home on the steep rocky cliffs in the mid-to- upper bay area. The special shape and design of mountain goats' hooves allows them to leap nimbly from ledge to ledge in search of grasses, herbs and low-growing shrubs. Seen at a distance, they are often mistaken for Dall sheep, which are found in the park's interior.

Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum): You may encounter this prickly member of the community high up in a cottonwood tree as it delicately nibbles on tender leaves. Except for their footpads and nose, porcupines are completely covered with yellowish fur and their famous quills, which are actually modified hairs tipped with barbs. A threatened porcupine will turn its back-end toward the source of trouble; this posture is intended to present an intimidating display of quills that firmly suggests the predator leave it alone. Literally a large rodent—and the second largest in North America, behind the beaver—the porcupine performs a broad repertoire of grunts, whimpers and screams.

Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus): Steller sea lions are gregarious and vocal members of the eared seal family. They can support themselves on their flippers while ashore; in fact, their rear flippers pivot, allowing them to get around with surprising speed. Steller sea lions are elegant swimmers, executing a seemingly endless series of underwater flips, turns and barrel rolls. Mature males can weigh almost 2,000 pounds, but females weigh just a fraction of that, averaging around 600 pounds. During mating season, large bulls compete at established rookery sites on the bay's outer coast to collect harems of females. Unsuccessful and immature males often congregate at haul-out areas.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi): If you're ever near the water and suddenly sense that something is watching you, chances are that "something" is the harbor seal. Look for their dome shaped heads peering from the water. Harbor seals have a dappled gray coat that can vary dramatically from seal to seal. A thick layer of fat allows these animals to keep warm in otherwise frigid conditions. Unlike the sea lion, harbor seals have no external earflap, and when out of the water, cannot support themselves on their flippers. On ice floes, they resemble plump sausages that move around by scooting along on their ample bellies. In the water, they display admirable grace as they hunt for fish. Over 1,500 seals typically converge on Johns Hopkins Inlet each summer to mate and raise pups.

Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena): At five feet long and about 120 pounds, the Harbor Porpoise is the smallest type of cetacean in Alaskan waters. Often seen in groups of two to 10, they announce themselves by offering a brief glimpse of their small triangular dorsal fin; the fin tends to cut slowly through the water surface when they come up to catch a breath. Harbor porpoise are generally dark gray with a slightly pointed face. When they surface, little more than their dorsal fins are visible. They do not ride bow wakes, like their relative the Dall's porpoise, which is larger and resembles a small orca with black and white coloration. Though Dall's porpoises can also be seen in the bay, they are most often spotted near the entrance and in Icy Strait.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris): Sea otters perform many of their daily tasks floating on their backs. In this position, their bellies make perfect tables on which to spread their latest catch, such as a clam that they will crack open— often using a rock selected especially for this purpose. Lacking a thick layer of blubber, otters are fortified instead with the densest fur of any mammal, up to one million hairs per square-inch. In order to maintain its insulating qualities, the fur must be kept meticulously clean. The sea otter's skin fits loosely; this feature enables the otter to pull fur from all parts of its body up to its mouth for cleaning. Females also perform this cleansing technique on their young. Generally dark brown, sea otters' faces get whiter as they age, earning this animal the nickname, "old man of the sea."