Moose in Sweden

The moose is the largest land mammal in Sweden and lives across most forested parts of the country. Moose are most active at dawn and dusk, especially in spring and autumn.

Moose are solitary animals that feed on both land and aquatic vegetation. Encounters are never guaranteed and usually brief, often happening at a distance, sometimes from a car.

Status in Sweden: The moose population has declined significantly since the 90’s, mainly due to increased hunting pressure. Numbers vary regionally and are influenced by hunting, traffic and predators.

Estimated population in Sweden: Approximately 250,000 individuals (summer population).

How to see moose in the wild

• Most active at sunrise and sunset

• Often near forest edges, clearings and other open areas

• Walk quietly without talking at all for long periods to increase your chances

• Local knowledge greatly increases the chance of meaningful encounters

🔗 See this species on a wildlife tour

Facts about Moose in Sweden

Scientific name: Alces alces

Height: 170 – 210 cm (at shoulder)

Weight: 200 – 360 kg (female), 380 – 800 kg (male)

Lifespan: 12 – 25 years (but most are shot at early age)

Population in Sweden: The Summer population is estimated to be 300,000–400,000 moose. Around 80,000 are hunted each Autumn.

Natural predators: Man (hunting + traffic) Wolf, Brown Bear.

>> More facts about Moose in Sweden

Beavers in Sweden

The Eurasian beaver lives along rivers, lakes and wetlands across much of Sweden. Beavers are most active at dusk and during the night, and are often noticed through movement, sounds or fresh signs along the water rather than direct sightings.

Beavers spend most of their time close to water and build lodges and dams that shape their surroundings. Encounters are quiet and require patience, especially while canoeing during calm summer evenings.

Status in Sweden: Beavers were once extinct in Sweden but were reintroduced over a century ago. Since then, the population has recovered strongly and is now well established across large parts of the country.

Estimated population in Sweden: At least 150,000 individuals.

How to see beavers in the wild

• Most active at dusk and during the night

• Found along lakes, rivers and streams

• Often detected by splashes, ripples and gnaw marks

• Approaching quietly by canoe or boat will increase your chances. Waiting near a lodge at sunset is another option

• Local knowledge greatly increases the chance of meaningful encounters

🔗 See this species on a wildlife tour

Facts about Beavers in Sweden

Scientific name: Castor fiber

Weight: 11 – 30 kg (Adult)

Body length: 80 – 100 cm (without tail)

Tail length: 25 – 50 cm

Lifespan: 16 – 24 years

Population in Sweden: The population is estimated to be at least 150,000.

Natural predators: Man (hunting + traffic), Wolf, Lynx

>> More facts about beavers in Sweden

Wolves in Sweden

The grey wolf lives mainly in forested areas of south-central Sweden, where large territories and low human presence allow them to move largely unnoticed. Wolves are highly elusive, and most encounters are indirect – through tracks, scent marks or distant howls rather than sightings.

Wolves generally avoid people and attacks on humans are extremely rare. They can, however, pose a risk to dogs and livestock, especially in areas where wolves and human activity overlap.

Status in Sweden: Wolves were once extinct in Sweden but naturally recolonised from the Finnish–Russian population during the late 20th century. Today, the population remains small and closely monitored, and is affected by licensed hunting and illegal killing.

Estimated population in Sweden: A few hundred individuals.

How to see wolves in the wild

• Found mainly in south-central Sweden (e.g. Värmland, Dalarna, Västmanland, Örebro, Gävleborg)

• Live in large territories with dense forest cover

• Rarely seen; most signs are tracks, droppings or howls

• Winter tracking in snow can make their presence easier to detect

• Local knowledge greatly increases the chance of meaningful encounters

🔗 See this species on a wildlife tour

Facts about Wolves in Sweden

Scientific name: Canis lupus

Height: 80 – 90 cm (at shoulder)

Weight: 35-45 kg (female), 45-55 kg (male)

Body length: 140-180 cm (with tail, male), 140-165 cm (with tail, female)

Tail length: 50 cm (male), 35-40 cm (female)

Population in Sweden: The population is estimated to be 400 – 500 (Winter 2014/2015).

Predators: Man (hunting + traffic), other Wolves

>> More facts about Wolves in Sweden

Bears in Sweden

The brown bear is Sweden’s largest carnivore and lives mainly in forested areas of central and northern parts of the country. Bears are shy and generally avoid people, which means most encounters are brief and happen at a distance.

The Swedish brown bear population is well established and spread across large forest landscapes. Bears do not normally pose a threat to humans but should always be respected and observed from a safe distance.

Status in Sweden: The brown bear population has increased over recent decades and is now considered stable under regulated wildlife management.

Estimated population in Sweden: Approximately 2,800 individuals.

How to see bears in the wild

• Found mainly in central and northern Sweden

• Most active from late spring to autumn

• Often seen during evening or early morning

• In autumn, bears may also forage in mountain areas

• Guided bear watching tours increase the chance of safe and responsible encounters

🔗 See this species on a wildlife tour

Facts about Bears in Sweden

• Scientific name: Ursus arctos

• Height: 100 – 280 cm, up to 135 cm to the shoulder

• Weight: 60 – 100 kg (female) 100 – 250 kg (male)

• Lifespan: 20 – 30 years

• Hibernation period: October/November – April/May

• Mating period: May – June

• Breeding period: January – February

>> More facts about bears in Sweden

Arctic fox

The Arctic fox lives in Sweden’s mountain regions, where it is adapted to cold and highly seasonal environments.

Arctic foxes are rare and difficult to observe, and encounters usually happen at a distance in alpine areas of north-western Sweden.

Seeing an Arctic fox in the wild often requires patience and travel into remote mountain landscapes.

Status in Sweden: The Arctic fox remains vulnerable in Sweden. Population size fluctuates depending on food availability and ongoing conservation efforts in mountain areas.

Estimated population in Sweden: A few hundred individuals, varying strongly between years.

How to see Arctic foxes in the wild

• Found in mountain areas of north-western Sweden

• Most often seen in alpine and tundra environments

• Encounters are rare and usually at a distance through binoculars

• Summer offers better access to mountain roads and viewpoints

• Guided tours can help locate known den areas with minimal disturbance

Facts about Arctic Foxes in Sweden

• Scientific name: Vulpes lagopus

• Length: 50 – 85 cm (plus tail 25-50 cm)

• Weight: 3 – 8 kg

• Lifespan: about 5 years

• Population in Sweden: A few hundred. The Arctic Fox population has increased lately but varies greatly from season to season depending on access to food which mainly consists of lemmings and other rodents.

• Natural predators: Red fox.

Wolverines in Sweden

The wolverine lives in remote mountain and forest areas in northern and central Sweden and is one of the country’s most elusive mammals. Wolverines are rarely seen, and their presence is most often revealed through tracks in snow and feeding remains.

Wolverines roam over very large areas and spend much of their time alone, which makes encounters uncommon even in places where they are present. Seeing a wolverine in the wild is often a matter of timing and luck rather than location.

Status in Sweden: The wolverine population has increased in recent years and is slowly expanding southwards into new forested regions.

Estimated population in Sweden: Approximately 600–700 individuals.

🔗 Wolverine watching is occasionally offered through WildSweden’s Secret Adventures (invitation only).
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How to see wolverines in the wild

• Found mainly in mountain and forest areas of northern and central Sweden

• Rarely seen; most signs are tracks, feeding remains or distant movement

• Winter conditions make tracking in snow easier

• Often spotted by chance while skiing or traveling in remote areas

• Local knowledge greatly increases the chance of meaningful encounters

Facts about Wolverines in Sweden

• Scientific name: Gulo gulo

• Length: 95 – 100 cm

• Height: 40 cm (at the withers)

• Weight: 12 – 18 kg (male), 8 – 12 kg (female)

• Lifespan: 10 – 12 years

• Population in Sweden: An estimated 600-700 individuals. The population has grown in recent years and also spread South to forested areas in Central Sweden like Gävleborg and Dalarna.

• Natural predators: Man (protective and illegal hunting)

>> More facts about Wolverines in Sweden

Lynx in Sweden

The Eurasian lynx is Sweden’s largest wild cat and lives in forested areas across much of the country. Lynx are solitary and mostly active at night, which means they are far more often detected through tracks in snow than through direct sightings.

Lynx are extremely elusive, and very few people ever see one in the wild. Even in areas where lynx are present, encounters are rare and usually brief, making them one of the hardest mammals to observe in the wild.

Status in Sweden: The lynx population is stable in many parts of Sweden, although numbers vary locally depending on habitat conditions and wildlife management.

Estimated population in Sweden: Approximately 1,200–1,300 individuals.

🔗 This species is sometimes encountered on our wildlife tours

How to see lynx in the wild

• Found in forested areas across much of Sweden

• Most active at night and around dawn

• Presence is usually revealed by tracks in snow

• Driving quietly in open landscapes at early morning offers the best chance

• Local knowledge greatly increases the chance of meaningful encounters

Facts about Lynx in Sweden

• Scientific name: Lynx lynx

• Length: 90 – 110 cm

• Height: 60 – 75 cm (at the withers)

• Weight: 20 – 28 kg (male), 15 – 20 kg (female)

• Lifespan: 10 – 14 years

• Population in Sweden: An estimated 1250 individuals.

• Natural predators: Man (hunting + traffic)

Wild Boar in Sweden

Wild boar live mainly in southern Sweden, preferring forested areas mixed with farmland. They are mostly nocturnal and are rarely seen during the day, with their presence more often revealed through tracks or disturbed ground.

Wild boar are shy and usually avoid people, but they are strong animals that should be respected, especially when encountered at close range. Most encounters happen near farmland at dusk or during the night.

Status in Sweden: The wild boar population has increased rapidly in recent decades and continues to expand northwards into new regions.

Estimated population in Sweden: At least 300,000 individuals and increasing.

How to see wild boar in the wild

• Found mainly in southern Sweden

• Prefer forests mixed with fields and farmland

• Most active at dusk and during the night

• Often detected by rooting marks, tracks or disturbed soil

• Local knowledge greatly increases the chance of meaningful encounters

🔗 See this species on a wildlife tour

Facts about Wild Boar in Sweden

• Scientific name: Sus scrofa

• Weight: 80 – 175 kg (Adult)

• Body length: 55 – 100 cm

• Lifespan: 15 – 20 years

• Population in Sweden: The population is estimated to be at least 300,000.

• Natural predators: Man (hunting + traffic), Wolf

Otters in Sweden

The Eurasian otter lives along clean rivers, lakes and some coastal areas across much of Sweden. Otters are mostly active at dawn and dusk and are more often detected through tracks, slides or feeding remains than through direct sightings.

Otters are shy animals and usually remain unnoticed even where they are present. Encounters are often brief and quiet, and patience is essential when observing otters.

Status in Sweden: After severe declines during the 20th century, the otter population is recovering and is now increasing in many parts of Sweden.

Estimated population in Sweden: Approximately 1,500–2,000 individuals.

How to see otters in the wild

• Found along rivers, lakes and coastal waters

• Most active at dawn and dusk

• Often detected by tracks, slides or feeding remains

• Winter conditions can make tracks easier to spot

• Local knowledge greatly increases the chance of meaningful encounters

Facts about Otters in Sweden

• Scientific name: Lutra lutra

• Weight: 3 – 11 kg

• Body length: 50 – 100 cm + tail 28 – 55 cm

• Lifespan: Up to 22 years

• Population in Sweden: 1500 – 2000

• Threats: Chemicals, traffic

An adult female Otter weighs between 5 – 6 kg, an adult male weighs about twice as much. Males are about 1 meter long and the females around 90 centimeters, with the tail.

It has a sleek brown fur, which is often paler on the underside, and a long body with a thick tail and short legs. Adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle include webbed feet, the ability to close the small ears and the nose when under water, and very dense, short fur which traps a layer of air to insulate the body. Many sensitive hairs frame the snout which help the otter to locate prey.

Otters feed mainly on fish, but frogs are also an important food source. They can also eat crayfish, birds and small mammals.

The otter have a rich social life and is often playful.

Breeding can occur throughout the year; one or two cubs are usually born in a den known as a holt, and ten weeks later the cubs emerge above ground with their mother. Female Otters care for their offspring for about a year. but it may take the cubs up to 18 months to learn to fish, and females have ben observed helping this learning process by releasing live fish for the cubs to re-catch.

The Swedish Otter population is rising again after it was close to extinction in the 1950’s, which was probably due to environmental toxins and especially PCBs. It is now recovering and increasing in numbers. The population in Sweden is estimated to 1500 – 2000 individuals. Today, traffic is a bigger problem.