List of mammals of Alaska explained

This is a list of all mammals currently found in the U.S. state of Alaska, whether resident or as migrants. With 112 mammal species, Alaska ranks 12th of the 50 U.S. states in mammalian diversity.^[1] Not included in this list is the Steller's sea cow, an extinct sirenian that was once native to Alaska's Aleutian Islands before being hunted to extinction in 1768.^[2]

This article presents the common and scientific names for each species, along more information about the animal. Where the species is unique to Alaska, this article presents a brief overview of the species. Where the species is not unique to Alaska, this article gives information about the habits and distribution that are characteristic of animals occurring in the state. The range maps that accompany the descriptions vary in their precision according to the sources on which they are based. Readers are advised to click on the maps and examine the source information for more information on the species' ranges.

Eulipotyphlans

Eulipotyphlans are insectivorous mammals. Alaska shrews have not been studied as much as most of its animals, so many particulars of their distribution, breeding cycles, and population remain unknown. Currently, ten species of shrews have been identified in Alaska, but debate remains over their identity and genetic relationships. All of Alaska's shrew species look alike to lay observers, but experts differentiate them based on their ranges and skull structure. Shrews live throughout the state, even on isolated islands, in habitats from temperate rain forests of the Southeast to Arctic tundra. They generally eat insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, though they may also eat other vertebrates and plants. Their predators in Alaska include weasels, marten, fox, domestic cats, other shrews, and owls. Shrews may be helpful in agricultural areas by eating insects, but elsewhere they may be pests by eating household meat left uncovered. None of Alaska's shrew populations is threatened, with the possible exception of the Pribilof Island shrew.

Species	More information	Range
Sorex alaskanus	Glacier Bay water shrews are known from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in southeast Alaska.
Common shrew Sorex cinereus	The common shrew is one of the two most widespread species of shrew in Alaska (the other being the dusky shrew). It is found from the Brooks Range to Southeast Alaska.
Pygmy shrew Sorex hoyi Image	The pygmy shrew is found throughout most of the state except the North Slope and the southeast.
Pribilof Island shrew Sorex hydrodromus Image	The Pribilof Island shrew is found only on the Pribilof Islands.^[3]
St. Lawrence Island shrew Sorex jacksoni	The St. Lawrence Island shrew is found only on St. Lawrence Island.^[4]
Dusky shrew Sorex monticolus Image	The dusky shrew is one of the two most widespread species of shrew in Alaska (the other being the common shrew). It is found from the Brooks Range to Southeast Alaska.
Water shrew Sorex palustris	The water shrew is found from Southcentral and Southeast Alaska to the Alaska Range in the north.
Tundra shrew Sorex tundrensis	Tundra shrews are found throughout most of the state except the southeast.^[5]
Barrenground shrew Sorex ugyunak Image	Barrenground shrews are found on the North Slope.
Tiny shrew Sorex yukonicus Image	The tiny shrew appears to be widespread but uncommon in Alaska.^[6]

Bats

Bats are not abundant in Alaska, and are generally found only in Southeast Alaska, some of Southcentral Alaska, and in the Interior as far north as the Yukon River.

Carnivorans

Pinnipeds

Notes and References

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2. Domning, D. . 2016 . Hydrodamalis gigas . 2016 . e.T10303A43792683 . 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T10303A43792683.en . 24 September 2021.
3. Web site: Alaska Center for Conservation Science - Fostering research, education, and collaboration on biological conservation and natural resource management in Alaska and the Arctic. 2007-12-05. 2010-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20100606164826/http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/zoology/pdfs/mammals/Priblof%20Shrew.pdf. dead.
4. Web site: Sorex jacksoni - University of Alaska Museum . www.uaf.edu . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010423193921/http://www.uaf.edu/museum/mammal/AK_Mammals/Shrews/Jacksoni/jacksoni.html . 2001-04-23.
5. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
6. http://www.uaf.edu/museum/mammal/AK_Mammals/Shrews/Yukonicus/yukonicus.html Sorex yukonicus - University of Alaska Museum
7. Parker . Doreen I. . Lawhead . Brian E. . Cook . Joseph A. . Distributional Limits of Bats in Alaska . Arctic . 1997 . 50 . 3 . 256–265 . 10.14430/arctic1107 . 40511704 . 0004-0843.
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10. http://www.homernews.com/stories/030305/news_0303new014.shtml Cougar sightings in East Hill neighborhoods continue Chris Eshleman, Homer News, 3/13/05
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14. Web site: Arctic Wolf.
15. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
16. Web site: Foxes. 13 November 2023 .
17. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
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19. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. "Brown Bear." 2005-5-23. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
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21. Web site: BBC News - Sci/Tech - Global warming could starve polar bears.
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29. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/eaam/am/2004/00000030/00000003/art00010 IngentaConnect The Occurrence of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) i
30. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
31. Web site: Coast&Kayak Magazine online .
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33. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
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35. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
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37. Dawson. Natalie G.. Colella. Jocelyn P.. Small. Maureen P.. Stone. Karen D.. Talbot. Sandra L.. Cook. Joseph A.. 2017-05-29. Historical biogeography sets the foundation for contemporary conservation of martens (genus Martes) in northwestern North America. Journal of Mammalogy. 98. 3. 715–730. 10.1093/jmammal/gyx047. 0022-2372. free.
38. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
39. Colella, J. P., Frederick, L. M., Talbot, S. L., & Cook, J. A. (2021). Extrinsically reinforced hybrid speciation within Holarctic ermine (Mustela spp.) produces an insular endemic. Diversity and Distributions, 00, 1-16. Accessed at https://www.mammaldiversity.org/explore.html#species-id=1006532.
40. Colella, J. P., Frederick, L. M., Talbot, S. L., & Cook, J. A. (2021). Extrinsically reinforced hybrid speciation within Holarctic ermine (Mustela spp.) produces an insular endemic. Diversity and Distributions, 00, 1-16. Accessed at https://www.mammaldiversity.org/explore.html#species-id=1006533.
41. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
42. Alaska Department of Fish & Game: Moose. 2005-5-23. Retrieved on February 6, 2007. http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/moose.php
43. Alaska Department of Fish & Game: American Bison. 1994. Retrieved on September 2, 2007. Web site: Wildlife Notebook Series: American Bison - Alaska Department of Fish and Game . 2011-02-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100824210620/http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/bison.php . 2010-08-24 .
44. "Bison Management Report of Survey-Inventory Activities" 2004-12. Retrieved on September 2, 2007. http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/pubs/techpubs/mgt_rpts/bi04mt.pdf
45. Web site: 70 wood bison, so far, have arrived to Shageluk's 65-resident community - KTVA 11.
46. Web site: Alaska's Species Information, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
47. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
48. Alaska Department of Fish & Game "Caribou." 2005-5-23. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
49. Alaska Department of Fish & Game: Mountain Goat. 2005-5-23. Retrieved on February 6, 2007. http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/mtn_goat.php
50. Web site: Home . muskoxfarm.org.
51. Web site: Muskox. 2 July 2019.
52. http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/dallshee.php Alaska Department of Fish & Game: Dall Sheep
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57. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
58. http://www.uaf.edu/museum/mammal/AK_Mammals/Cetaceans/Monodon/Monodon.html Monodon monoceros - University of Alaska Museum
59. http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/marine/orca.php Alaska Department of Fish & Game: Orca
60. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
61. Web site: University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service.
62. Web site: Alaska's Species Information, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
63. Web site: Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge . alaskamaritime.fws.gov . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20051121015551/http://alaskamaritime.fws.gov/wildlife-wildlands/wildlife/nonnative/invasive-aleutians.htm . 2005-11-21.
64. 1377668. The Rabbits of Middleton Island, Alaska. Journal of Mammalogy. Thomas P.. O'Farrell. 1 January 1965. 46. 3. 525–527. 10.2307/1377668.
65. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
66. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game . [e-mail] . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090430043923/http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/smgame/porky.php . 2009-04-30 .
67. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
68. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
69. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
70. Web site: Microtus abbreviatus - University of Alaska Museum . www.uaf.edu . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20020311031748/http://www.uaf.edu/museum/mammal/AK_Mammals/Rodents/Microtus/abbreviatus/index.html . 2002-03-11.
71. Web site: North American Mammals: Microtus abbreviatus : Image Information.
72. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
73. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
74. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].
75. http://www.uaf.edu/museum/mammal/AK_Mammals/Rodents/Phenacomys/index.html Phenacomys intermedius - University of Alaska Museum
76. Web site: Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. [e-mail].