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Cruising Offers Amazing Wildlife Viewing Opportunities |
An Alaskan cruise is truly a dream come true for any wildlife lover. Due to Alaska’s astounding ecology and range of habitats, the types of animals that can be spotted while cruising are truly amazing. Alaska is home to a diverse and abundant population of all types of animal life including mammals, birds and even marine life. Wildlife flourishes in the coastal regions which makes cruising an ideal way to both spot and photograph these incredible creatures.
Alaska is home to over 110 different species of animals but is most famous for its bear populations. This state is home to three different bear species which include brown, black and polar bears. Brown bears are the most commonly sighted bears while cruising due to their large range of costal habitats. If cruising in the north, polar bears can be spotted along the shores. Black bears are found most commonly in Alaska’s interior but do populate some bay areas as well. A cruise offers visitors a prime way to safely view these incredible animals.
In addition to bears, there is a wide range of sheep, moose, caribou, and smaller mammals that can be spotted while cruising as well. Moose and caribou are the most commonly sighted of these critters but it is not uncommon to spot smaller mammal species as well. Aside from the hoof stock, Alaska is home to a wide range of predators including lynx, wolves, foxes and even the elusive wolverine. While predators tend to be harder to spot than hoof stock and bears, the chilling sound of a wolf howl often fills the still Alaskan night.
Although the number of mammals found in Alaska is impressive, it is home to an even larger amount of bird species. Alaska is officially home to 445 species of birds along with a substantial unofficial number of species. Perhaps the most famous bird sought while cruising, the Bald Eagle is commonly found along the coastal regions of this state. Cruising gives individuals unmatched opportunities for both seeing and photographing these majestic birds. Aside from bald eagles, Alaska’s coastal regions are also bustling habitats for numerous other birds such as puffins, loons, ptarmigans, swans and sea ducks.
Aside from land mammals and birds, Alaska has another star in its wildlife lineup. Along Alaska’s coastal areas, it is common for cruisers to encounter a wide variety of marine life including whales. There are several types of whales that call this area home, but the most famous are humpback, beluga, gray, and the infamous killer whale or orca. These marine species are often spotted by boat and can be seen performing a variety of natural and awe-inspiring behaviors. Often, whales can be seen breaching or lunging out of the water. This is a truly jaw-dropping sight as the whale seems to leap from the water and a large percentage of its body can be seen. Since whales are air breathing animals, they also surface to breathe through their blow holes, exhaling a white spout as they breathe.
Whales might be the star of the show but Alaska is also home to a diverse range of other sea life as well. Often while cruising visitors can spot sea lions, otters, seals, porpoises and walruses. These animals are commonly seen along the coastal areas that are visited by cruise ships and offer unmatched wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. One of the most frequently sighted marine animals is the dall porpoise. These animals are black and white in coloring and often swim alongside boats in the coastal areas. Although sometimes mistaken for orcas due to their coloring, the porpoises are much smaller than the whales and do not have a large dorsal fin as the orcas do. In addition to porpoises, it is very common to see harbor seals while cruising as well. June and August are prime seal-viewing times and often the seals will be found in plain sight on icebergs during these times.
Alaska is a wild, wonderful and diverse place to visit. Cruising offers visitors unrivaled opportunities to spot and photograph Alaskan wildlife and nature in all its majesty. The coastal regions of Alaska are host to a wonderfully abundant array of animal and sea life, making a cruise the best way to sample all of the diversity this truly wild state has to offer.
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Cruise Adventures 