Animals in Finland
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
The brown bear is Finland's national animal, chosen in a public vote rather than by law. In old Finnish belief it was the sacred king of the forest, so people avoided its real name and used gentle nicknames like Otso instead. More than 2,000 bears live in Finland today, mostly in the east.
View details→Wildlife in Finland
Finland covers about 338,000 square kilometers but has only around 5.6 million people, most of them in the south. Beyond the cities the country is mostly forest, more than in any other country in Europe, broken up by about 188,000 lakes, wide bogs and a coast with thousands of islands. From south to north it moves from mild farmland and the Lakeland to the endless pine and spruce forests of the east and the open fells of Lapland, where Halti, the highest point, reaches 1,324 meters. North of the Arctic Circle the sun does not set for weeks in summer and barely rises in winter, which shapes when animals breed, move and rest.
Forests and lakes have always shaped Finnish life, from timber and fishing to reindeer herding in Lapland, and everyman's right still lets anyone walk, camp and pick berries in most of the countryside. Finland created its first national parks in 1938, and today there are 41. The Kvarken Archipelago, where the land is still rising after the last ice age, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
Travelers come for the lakes in summer and for the snow, the northern lights and Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle in winter, while the eastern border forests near Kuhmo and Kuusamo have become famous for watching big predators from hides. The wildlife follows these contrasts, with bears, wolves and lynxes in the eastern forests, reindeer and Arctic hunters in Lapland, and eagles, cranes and swans along the lakes and coasts.
Most Dangerous Animals in Finland
Finland is a very safe country when it comes to wild animals, and attacks on people are rare. Large predators like bears, wolves, lynxes and wolverines live mostly in the eastern and northern forests and almost always avoid people. Bears are the ones to keep in mind. If you meet one, stay calm, talk in a normal voice and back away slowly, and never get between a mother and her cubs. Bears sometimes visit farms and beehives, and wolves are more of a worry for dog owners and sheep farmers than for hikers, since they can attack hunting dogs in the forest. Wolverines and wolves are also a big problem for reindeer herders in Lapland. The biggest real danger comes from moose and reindeer on the roads. Thousands of collisions happen every year, and hitting a moose at speed can be deadly, so drivers watch for warning signs, especially at dusk and in autumn. Wild boars, still few in Finland, can charge if cornered. The only venomous snake is the European adder, common in the south and center. Its bite is painful but rarely dangerous for healthy adults, and wearing closed shoes on forest trails is usually enough to avoid it.
Top 10 Animals in Finland
Finland's best known animals are spread between the eastern forests and Lapland, and the country is one of the best places in Europe to see big predators in the wild. Brown bears are the main draw: more than 2,000 live in Finland, and hides in the forests near Kuhmo and Kuusamo, close to the Russian border, give a good chance to watch them from spring to late summer, often together with wolverines. Gray wolves have grown to around 430 animals according to the 2025 estimate of the Natural Resources Institute, and some of the same hides offer rare wolf sightings. The Eurasian lynx is the most common large predator in the country but is very shy, so most people only find its tracks in the snow. Reindeer are everywhere in Lapland, and the hundreds of thousands seen along northern roads belong to herders, while a few thousand wild forest reindeer live in Kainuu and Suomenselkä. Moose live in forests across the country, and white tailed deer, brought from North America in the 1930s, are common in the southwest. Beavers build dams along forest streams. The Arctic fox is one of the rarest mammals in Finland and is only seen now and then on the high fells of the far north, while hedgehogs are easy to spot in gardens across the south on summer nights.
White tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
The white tailed deer is not native to Finland. In 1934 a handful of deer arrived from Minnesota, escaped from their enclosure in 1938, and spread so well that the population now passes 100,000, the largest outside the Americas. They live mainly in the farmland and forests of the south and west. They are a popular game animal and a frequent cause of road accidents in the country. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Badger
Meles meles
The European badger, called mäyrä in Finnish, lives mainly in southern and central Finland in mixed forest and farmland, near the northern edge of its range. Finnish winters are severe, and badgers spend several months in deep sleep underground, coming out in spring once the ground thaws. They fatten on earthworms, insects, berries and small animals before winter, and numbers are lower and patchier than farther south. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
The brown bear is Finland's national animal. After being almost wiped out in the early 1900s, it recovered and now numbers about 2,000, living across the country's boreal forests, with the highest densities in the east near the Russian border. It feeds on ants, bilberries and moose calves. Hunting is allowed under a yearly quota. Many visitors watch them from hides in Kuhmo. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Hare
Lepus europaeus
Finland is at the northern edge of the European hare's range. It lives mainly in the south and west, in farmland, gardens and the outskirts of towns, and it spread north as fields and settlements expanded. In the forests and further north, native hares that turn white in winter take over, and the two species sometimes interbreed. Harsh, snowy winters keep numbers in check, and the hare is a common game animal. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
Finland sits at the northern limit of the European hedgehog's range. It is most common in the south, around Helsinki and the southwestern coast, and lives mostly close to people, in towns, villages and gardens where food and shelter are easier to find. The severe winters demand a long hibernation, sometimes from October to April or even May, so young hedgehogs need plenty of fat before the first frosts. IUCN status: Near Threatened.
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Gray wolves in Finland live mainly in the eastern and central parts of the country, in boreal forests close to the Russian border. Finland's wolf population has grown gradually since the late twentieth century but remains relatively small. The species is protected, though licensed removals are permitted under certain conditions. Wolves prey primarily on white tailed deer and moose. Tensions with reindeer herders in the north are an ongoing part of the conservation conversation.
Pine Marten
Martes martes
Finland is one of the great strongholds of the pine marten, the only marten species here. It lives in forests across the country, from the south coast to Lapland, and it is especially at home in old spruce woods, where it hunts voles, squirrels and forest birds. In the deep snow of winter it often travels and rests under the snow. It is still a game species in Finland, trapped in winter for its fur. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Eurasian Lynx
Lynx lynx
The Eurasian lynx is widespread in Finland, living in the boreal forests from the south coast to Lapland. Hunting almost wiped it out in the early twentieth century, but it recovered strongly after protection and now numbers in the thousands, one of the largest populations in the European Union. Roe deer and hares are its main prey in the south and center, and it also takes reindeer in the north. Hunting is allowed under quotas. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
The red fox lives throughout Finland, from the farmland and forests of the south to the fells of Lapland, and is also seen on the edges of Helsinki and other cities. In the north it competes with the much rarer arctic fox for lemmings, voles and den sites, and red foxes moving into the tundra are one reason the arctic fox has almost vanished as a breeding animal in Finland. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Red Squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Finland's vast conifer forests make it one of the strongest strongholds for the red squirrel in all of Europe. The species is widespread from the southern coast to the forests of Lapland, where it must rely heavily on stored food caches to survive the long, harsh winters. Its ability to stay active even in deep snow and bitter cold makes it a true symbol of Finnish woodland life. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Reindeer
Rangifer tarandus
Finland has around 200,000 semi domesticated reindeer, herded across Lapland by Sámi and Finnish herding cooperatives, and they are a common sight on northern roads. The country also has wild forest reindeer, a rare subspecies that grew from just over 2,000 to about 3,000 animals in Kainuu and the Suomenselkä area thanks to a conservation project that ended in 2023. Wolves, bears and wolverines hunt them. IUCN status: Vulnerable.
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolus
The roe deer is a relatively recent arrival in Finland. It spread into the country from Sweden and Russia during the twentieth century, helped by milder winters and changing forests, and it is now common in the south and southwest and keeps pushing further north. Deep snow is its main limit, as it makes moving and finding food hard, so numbers can drop after harsh winters. Hunting is managed by quotas. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Wild Boar
Sus scrofa
Wild boars live mainly in southern and southeastern Finland, where they arrived from Russia and spread in recent decades after a very long absence: a bone found in Askola shows they lived here more than 8,000 years ago. Deep snow and cold winters limit them further north. They keep to forest near farmland, and hunting and disease checks help manage them. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Wolverine
Gulo gulo
Finland had an estimated 350 to 500 wolverines in early 2024, about ten times more than in the early 1990s. Most live in the forests of eastern Finland, such as Kainuu and North Karelia, and in Lapland, and some are spreading south. In the reindeer herding area of the north they prey on reindeer, which leads to conflict and some licensed culling. Numbers are tracked by counting trails in the snow. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopus
The arctic fox is one of Finland's rarest mammals, with only about 10 to 20 in the country, on the fells of Enontekiö and Utsjoki in northern Lapland. In 2022 a female raised three pups in Enontekiö, the first successful breeding in Finland since 1996, and 2023 brought a record five dens. Feeding stations run by Metsähallitus and WWF help the foxes. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Beaver
Castor canadensis
The North American beaver is not native to Finland. Seven animals from New York were released in 1937 to help the native European beaver recover, before anyone knew they were a different species. They spread through much of the south and center of the country, where they now outnumber the European beaver, and from there into Russia. Finland treats them as an invasive species and allows them to be hunted.
Moose
Alces alces
Finland has one of Europe's densest moose populations, roughly 100,000 animals after the autumn hunt, spread across its boreal forests and lake district. The moose is deeply woven into Finnish culture, and moose hunting clubs are a fixture of rural life. Hunting quotas are set each year to balance forest damage, traffic safety and population health. Moose are seen throughout the country, often near fields and roads at dusk and dawn. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Mountain Hare
Lepus timidus
In Finland the mountain hare lives across the whole country, in forests, bogs and the fells of Lapland, and turns white every winter. It is one of the most important prey animals of the Eurasian lynx and a popular game species. In the south its numbers have fallen as the brown hare spread north and competed with it, while in the north it remains common and follows cycles of boom and decline. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Eurasian Otter
Lutra lutra
Finland's thousands of lakes and rivers make good otter habitat, and the species lives across almost the whole country, from the southern coast to Lapland. It declined in the late 20th century but has recovered, and in winter it hunts under the ice through holes and rapids that stay open. It shares Finnish waters with the introduced North American beaver, white tailed eagles and Eurasian lynx. IUCN status: Near Threatened.
European Adder
Vipera berus
The European adder, called kyy, is Finland's only venomous snake and one of the few reptiles able to live so far north, reaching beyond the Arctic Circle. It depends on basking during the short summers and hibernates for much of the year. It lives in forests, rocky outcrops, bogs and even gardens and summer cottage areas across much of the country. It is protected, though it may be killed as a last resort on private property. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Eagle Owl
Bubo bubo
Finland holds one of the most studied eagle owl populations in northern Europe. The species thrives in the country's vast conifer forests and breeds on rocky hillsides and cliff faces scattered throughout the landscape. Researchers in Finland have studied it extensively, contributing valuable data on its nesting habits and prey preferences. It relies heavily on hares and forest grouse during the harsh winter months. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
White tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
Finland has one of the most important breeding populations of the white tailed eagle in Europe. It nests along the Baltic coast, in the Archipelago Sea and in Lapland. After it nearly vanished in the 20th century because of hunting and DDT, winter feeding and strict protection helped it recover strongly. Today eagles can be seen along much of the coast, especially in winter. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Crane
Grus grus
Finland holds one of the largest breeding populations of common cranes in Europe. The country's vast network of bogs, marshes and boreal forest wetlands provides ideal nesting conditions. Cranes are a beloved symbol of the Finnish wilderness, and their resonant calls echo across the landscape each spring. In autumn, thousands gather at staging sites such as Liminka Bay before departing south. Pairs bond for life and perform graceful courtship dances. Its IUCN status is Least Concern.
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
The white wagtail is one of the most recognisable birds of the Finnish summer. It arrives in April or May, breeding across the country from southern farmland to villages near the Arctic in Lapland. It nests in wood piles, buildings and rocky outcrops, often very close to people. By September most birds have left for Africa, but for a few months it is a constant presence along Finnish lakeshores and roadsides. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
In Finland, the peregrine falcon breeds across the boreal forests and along rocky lake shores, favoring cliff faces in the north and west of the country. The Finnish population was nearly wiped out by pesticide use in the twentieth century but has recovered thanks to strong conservation efforts and monitoring programs. Today, several hundred pairs nest in Finland each year. Its IUCN status is Least Concern.
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
The mute swan has expanded its range in Finland over recent decades and now breeds regularly across the southern and central parts of the country. It favors sheltered bays along the Gulf of Finland, the Archipelago Sea, and the many lakes scattered through the Finnish interior. Pairs are strongly territorial during the breeding season. Outside that period, birds gather in small flocks on open coastal waters. It is listed as Least Concern.
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Finland holds one of the healthier golden eagle populations in northern Europe, with several hundred pairs. It breeds mainly in the north, in Lapland, nesting in large pines or on cliff ledges and hunting grouse, mountain hares and reindeer calves over open fells and bogs. Reindeer herders are paid compensation for eagle nests on their land. Pairs keep the same territory for years and often have several nests. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus
Finland has only a small breeding population, about 22 to 29 pairs in the fells of northern Lapland, around Inari, Enontekiö and Utsjoki. The species is listed as critically endangered in the national red list. These pairs stay on their territories year round and depend almost entirely on willow and rock ptarmigan, so poor ptarmigan years hit them hard. Nest sites are monitored and kept secret. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Eurasian Magpie
Pica pica
The Eurasian magpie is a familiar sight across southern Finland, where it frequents farmland, village gardens, and the edges of forests. It is less common further north, where the boreal landscape becomes too dense and cold for it to thrive. A bold and adaptable bird, it eats insects, berries, small animals, and scraps. It is common in Helsinki and other southern towns. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
In Finland the snowy owl is a very rare bird of the far north. It has nested only occasionally on the treeless fells of northern Lapland, in Enontekiö and Utsjoki, during strong lemming peaks, and in most years only a few are seen, mostly in the north in winter and during migration. It shares the open fells with arctic foxes, gyrfalcons and reindeer, and is among the country's most threatened birds. IUCN status: Vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals live in Finland?
Finland is home to brown bears, gray wolves, Eurasian lynxes, wolverines, red foxes, Arctic foxes, badgers, martens, beavers, hares, red squirrels and hedgehogs. Its deer include moose, reindeer, roe deer and white tailed deer, and wild boars are slowly spreading in the southeast. Its birds include white tailed eagles, golden eagles, gyrfalcons, peregrine falcons, eagle owls, cranes, mute swans, white wagtails and Eurasian magpies. The European adder is its only venomous snake. Most of these animals live in the forests, bogs and fells that cover the country.
What is the national animal of Finland?
The brown bear is the national animal of Finland. It was chosen in a public vote and is not set by law, but it is the animal Finns link most with their forests. In old Finnish belief the bear was sacred, and people avoided saying its real name, calling it Otso or other gentle nicknames. Bears also appear in many Finnish place names, coats of arms and stories, and more than 2,000 live in the country today.
Where can you see bears in Finland?
The best places are the forests of eastern Finland near the Russian border, especially around Kuhmo, Suomussalmi and Kuusamo. Local operators run hides where visitors spend the evening or the whole night watching bears from a safe distance, and wolverines and sometimes wolves visit the same spots. The season usually runs from spring, when bears wake up, to late summer. Seeing a bear by chance while hiking is rare, since they are shy and avoid people.
Are reindeer wild in Finland?
Most are not. The hundreds of thousands of reindeer that roam freely in Lapland and northern Finland all have owners, who mark them and round them up each year, so drivers often meet them on the roads. Reindeer herding is an important way of life there, including for the Sámi. Finland also has a few thousand truly wild forest reindeer, a different subspecies that lives in Kainuu and Suomenselkä and is kept apart from herded reindeer so the two do not mix.
Are there wolves in Finland?
Yes. The Natural Resources Institute estimated about 430 wolves in March 2025, a big jump from the year before. Most live in eastern and western Finland, in forest areas outside the reindeer herding region. Wolves rarely show themselves and are almost never a danger to people, but they kill sheep and hunting dogs, so how many may be hunted is a constant debate. A few wildlife hides in eastern Finland offer a small chance to watch wild wolves.
Researched and written by Juan Pablo. Sources: IUCN Red List, scientific literature and regional field guides. Last updated: .