Fauna
Muskox
Ovibos moschatus | Umimmak
Weight
180 - 410 kg
Height
1,1 - 1,5 m
Length
1.35 - 2.50 m
The wool of the muskox is extremely soft and warm, and is therefore treasured by many when winter brings the cold. The meat is also a delicacy.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Caribou / Reindeer
Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus | Tuttu
Weight
70-160 kg
Height
~ 1.2 m
Length
1.5 - 2.3 m
They are hunted for food in the inland, especially around our key site Aasivissuit where Inuit would make summer camps.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Harp seal
Pagophilus groenlandicus | Aataaq
Weight
115 – 140 kg
Length
1.7 - 2.0 m
Seals have been essential for the making of warm clothes and as food. The harp seal skin used to be made into tents due to its huge size and would be held up by driftwood and antlers.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Ringed Seal
Pusa hispida | Natseq
Weight
50 - 110 kg
Length
1.10 - 1.45 m
Seals are to this day cooked as hearty meals enjoyed by many. It’s either boiled as ribs and meat chunks in a pot with onions, potatoes and porridge rice to be served as a soup, or it can be roasted in an oven as well as a pan.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Fin Whale
Balaenoptera physalus | Tikaagulliusaaq
Weight
45 - 75 tons
Length
19 - 25 m
Whales are a valuable source of food as one whale can feed a small settlement throughout a tough winter. The meat and skin is boiled or pan-fried in small pieces. The skin is also enjoyed raw with the mixed spice Aromat.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae | Qipoqqaq
Weight
25 - 30 tons
Length
12 - 15 m
There is centuries long traditions and business with whale hunting in this area, and even though whales have diminished in numbers there is a quota for local fishers to go hunting in a group of boats - like they’ve always done.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Rock Ptarmigan
Lagopus muta | Aqisseq
Weight
0.4 - 0.5 kg
Length
0.35 m
The Rock ptarmigan is a delicacy as both the eggs and the adult birds are a welcome alternative foodsource apart from the sea and land animals.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
White-tailed Sea Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla | Nattoralik
Weight
3 - 6 kg
Length
2 - 2.45 m
The female is larger than the male, and the eagle is a rare but beautiful sight to see in nature.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifrons flavirostris | Nerleq
Weight
2 - 2.5 kg
Length
1.30 - 1.65 m
The geese were in the past a delicious alternative food source but is today protected by law as an endangered species in Greenland. The greater white-fronted geese breed in the inland of Aasivissuit – Nipisat.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Thick-billed Murre
Uria Lomvia | Appa
Weight
0.9 - 1.1 kg
Wingspan
0.64 - 0.75 m
Length
0.4 - 0.44 m
A bird population in decline but still enjoyed as a meal by boiling or cooking it in the oven with a honey glaze. They breed on cliffs and only have one egg at a time.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos | Qeerlutooq
Weight
0.7 - 1.6 kg
Wingspan
0.8 - 1.0 m
Length
0.5 - 0.65 m
A very common duck to be spotted in towns and in the landscape during the warm period. Refrain from feeding them as it can negatively impact their health.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus | Kissaviarsuk
Weight
1.1 - 2.1 kg
Wingspan
1.0 - 1.3 m
Length
0.53 - 0.63 m
A hunting falcon that preys on smaller birds but also sea birds and hares. The plumage varies from almost white over grey to dark depending on the region they inhabit. The gyrfalcon in this area are mostly grey.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Common Raven
Corvus corax | Tulugaq
Weight
0.7 - 1.6 kg
Wingspan
1.1 - 1.5 m
Length
0.54 - 0.69 m
The raven shows up in a lot of legends and tales as a helping or avenging spirit. If you observe a flock of ravens circling, they have probably seen food or soon-to-be-food.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Arctic Fox
Vulpes Lagopus | Terianniaq
Weight
2.9 - 3.5 kg
Height
0.25 - 0.30 m
Length
0.41 - 0.68 m
The beautiful Arctic Fox is hunted for its fur and is kept off the dinnertable. Caution should be enacted when met in wild as there are cases of rabies.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Arctic Hare
Lepus arcticus | Ukaleq qaqortoq
Weight
3 - 5 kg
Length
0.48 - 0.60 m
The cute furball has been historically used for luxurious decorations on clothing. It’s rarely eaten as it has very little meat on it, and the fur is very small so it’s impractical to make complete clothing pieces that keep you warm.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Arctic Charr
Salvelinus alpinus | Eqaluk
Weight
1 - 2 kg
Length
0.4 - 0.6 m
It’s a rare delicacy in Greenland that is enjoyed grilled or boiled after having been caught in fjords or rivers. Our key site Itinneq is famous for the abundance of char during summer.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua | Saarullik
Weight
< 20 kg
Length
< 1.35 m
The cod has a rich history in Greenland, for millennia the population has greatly varied. Not only is it tasty to boil and eat off the cliffs but the bones have been used as needles and other crafting tools.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Spotted Sea Cat
Anarhichas minor | Qeeraq Milattooq
Weight
< 27 kg
Length
1.0 - 1.8 m
An ugly fish enjoyed as a boiled dish with potatoes or rice. It has tender white meat and a generous amount of healthy fat and oils.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Lumpfish
Cyclopterus lumpus | Nipisa
Weight
< 4.5 kg
Length
0.3 - 0.5 m
The lumpfish has been so important in this area that an island on the coast is named Nipisat, which is plural for lumpfish in Greenlandic. It’s mainly caught for its roe that is enjoyed as a delicacy.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Mosquito
Culicidae | Ippernaq
Size
< 16mm
The little buggers are a nuisance during summer and have no nutritional value. Luckily, so far there is no evidence they carry any life-threatening illnesses.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Flora
Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum | Paarnaqutit
Height
3 - 20 cm
Leaves
Crowded 4-6 mm long needle-shaped leaves with a light furrow below
Edible black berries commonly foraged by locals as a bittersweet snack or ingredient in the sweet kitchen. They are the sweetest after having experienced the first icy night in September.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Bog Blueberry
Vaccinium uliginosum | Kigutaarnaq
Height
10 - 20 cm
Leaves
Blue-green oval, 4-30 mm long and 2-15 mm wide
Are quite rare compared to crowberries. The blueberries are small but can be enjoyed raw or be included in cooking and baked goods.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Angelica
Angelica archangelica | Kuanneq
Height
100 - 200 cm
Leaves
Numerous small leaflets with finely toothed or serrated edges
The stems can be eaten raw or dipped in sugar and the leaves can be dried and used as seasoning. It can be compared to a sweeter version of a celery plant.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Narrow-leaved Labrador-tea
Ledum palustre | Qajaasaq
Height
10 - 50 cm
Leaves
Hairless above and rusty haired below. 10-25 white flowers in an umbel
Both the leaves and flowers can be used to make tea. The leaves are evergreen fragrant and are crowded while appearing linear with down-rolled edges.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne
Lyme Grass
Ivigarsuaq | Leymus arenarius
Height
90 - 120 cm
Leaves
Flat and steel-blue, 3-15 mm broad and gracefully arching
Tall grass that can be found in sandy areas previously used as a midden by a relocated settlement.
Illustration by Kirsten Hjørne