Page 34 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

32  INTRODUCING ALASK A

Landscape and Wildlife

With its range of landforms and wild country, Alaska naturally
supports a wealth of wildlife, not only in the mountains and
forests, but also on the barren tundra, in the surrounding
seas, and even in the cities and towns. In fact, Anchorage
has a healthy moose popu lation, and bears are occasionally
sighted in city parks. Perhaps the most reliable wildlife
viewing venue is Denali National Park. Visitors to the park’s
interior are typically treated to sightings of grizzlies, moose,
cari bou, Dall sheep, and a host of birds and smaller animals.
A wealth of marine mammals – sea lions, sea otters, seals,
and whales – abound in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Orcas are often seen in the Gulf
the Arctic Ocean. Sightings are practically guaranteed on of Alaska and its sheltered bays,
where visitors can also spot other
Inside Passage cruises, and on day cruises and ferry trips in marine mammals such as seals
Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, and the Kenai Fjords. and otters.

Temperate Rainforest Taiga and Boreal Forest
The islands of the eastern Gulf Coast and The boreal forest (see p161), which covers most
Southeast Alaska form the world’s largest of the Alaskan mainland, ranges from mixed
expanse of temperate rainforest (see p131). birch to black and white spruce wood land.
Conifers such as Western hemlock and Sitka Low-lying, poorly drained areas are typified
spruce dominate, but there is also muskeg or by taiga, characterized by bog dominated
spongy bog, composed of sphagnum moss, by spindly black spruce.
peat, and ground cover.
Lynx are officially the
Black bears are the most only wild cats native
common and widely distributed to Alaska. They are
of North America’s three species distinguished by
of bears (see p111). At about 5 ft long tufts on each ear,
(2 m) in length, they are the while their unusually
smallest. They range in color large paws act as
from black to almost white. snowshoes in very
deep snow and aid
in winter hunting.

Moose, the largest
Sitka black-tailed member of the deer
deer are native to the family, can weigh up
Southeast, whose old- to 1,500 lb (675 kg).
growth forests pro vide Besides pondweed,
optimal foraging they feed on willow,
and habitat. birch, and aspen twigs.

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