Fauna of Iceland

[1] Walruses were native to Iceland, but disappeared after human settlement, likely as a result of hunting, climate change and/or volcanism.

However, sightings of polar bears are rare, and those that are seen are usually killed for reasons of public safety.

[3] Animals that have been introduced include the American mink, which escaped from fur farms and prospered, and the reindeer.

There are few passerines (perching birds), perhaps because of a lack of nesting opportunities or a dearth of insect food at some times of year.

[4] The rivers and lakes are home to Atlantic salmon, brown trout and Arctic char, as well as European eel and three-spined stickleback, and there are rainbow trout which have escaped from fish hatcheries.