Big six of Sweden
Brown Bear
Sweden's largest predator, the brown bear, can weigh up to
350kg. It eats mainly berries, ants and shrubs, but may also hunt voles and
salmon. The brown bear hibernates during the winter, and cubs are born every two
or three years. Sweden has around 2500 bears in the wild.
Wolf
The wolf is a social animal, with packs consisting of 10-15 wolves.
All the wolves in a pack will be related, e.g. two parents and offspring. During
summer, wolves hunt by themselves or in pairs, while in autumn and winter they
hunt together in packs to be able to target bigger animals like the elk. The
population of wild wolves in Sweden is around 130 individuals.
Golden Eagle
One of the largest birds of prey, the golden eagle has broad wings and
a longish tail and a different outline from the buzzard, which is smaller. It
loves to glide on air currents, holding its wings in a shallow V. Golden eagles
have nesting places and territories which may by used for generations.
Lynx
Sweden's only feline, the lynx weighs 15-30kg, with males being
larger than females. The lynx is a skilful hunter, catching hare, wildfowl and
voles, as well as larger animals such as roe-deer and reindeer. It mates in
March, with young being born in May. In Sweden the lynx has been protected since
1991, and the wild population is now around 1300.
Elk (or moose!)
Sweden's largest mammal, the male elk can weigh up
to 700kg. It has brown to greyish-black, with greyish-white legs. This makes the
elk hard to see sometimes in the forests. Elks in Sweden number around 210,000.
The Latin name, Alces alces, is known as a "moose" in North America and an
"elk" in Sweden. But in North America, an "elk" is a deer-like animal otherwise
known as a "Wapiti"!
Arctic Fox
Arctic foxes do not hibernate and can withstand
temperatures of -50 deg C. They are pure white in winter and generally
greyish-brown in summer. They may be over a metre long including the tail and
weigh up to 8kg. Although they are omnivores, they prefer small mammals such as
lemmings, eggs, carrion and berries. Critically endangered with a European
mainland population of only around 150.
Sweden's largest predator, the brown bear, can weigh up to
350kg. It eats mainly berries, ants and shrubs, but may also hunt voles and
salmon. The brown bear hibernates during the winter, and cubs are born every two
or three years. Sweden has around 2500 bears in the wild.
Wolf
The wolf is a social animal, with packs consisting of 10-15 wolves.
All the wolves in a pack will be related, e.g. two parents and offspring. During
summer, wolves hunt by themselves or in pairs, while in autumn and winter they
hunt together in packs to be able to target bigger animals like the elk. The
population of wild wolves in Sweden is around 130 individuals.
Golden Eagle
One of the largest birds of prey, the golden eagle has broad wings and
a longish tail and a different outline from the buzzard, which is smaller. It
loves to glide on air currents, holding its wings in a shallow V. Golden eagles
have nesting places and territories which may by used for generations.
Lynx
Sweden's only feline, the lynx weighs 15-30kg, with males being
larger than females. The lynx is a skilful hunter, catching hare, wildfowl and
voles, as well as larger animals such as roe-deer and reindeer. It mates in
March, with young being born in May. In Sweden the lynx has been protected since
1991, and the wild population is now around 1300.
Elk (or moose!)
Sweden's largest mammal, the male elk can weigh up
to 700kg. It has brown to greyish-black, with greyish-white legs. This makes the
elk hard to see sometimes in the forests. Elks in Sweden number around 210,000.
The Latin name, Alces alces, is known as a "moose" in North America and an
"elk" in Sweden. But in North America, an "elk" is a deer-like animal otherwise
known as a "Wapiti"!
Arctic Fox
Arctic foxes do not hibernate and can withstand
temperatures of -50 deg C. They are pure white in winter and generally
greyish-brown in summer. They may be over a metre long including the tail and
weigh up to 8kg. Although they are omnivores, they prefer small mammals such as
lemmings, eggs, carrion and berries. Critically endangered with a European
mainland population of only around 150.