Norwegian Wildlife on stamps

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A set of three photographic stamps issued as part of the Norwegian Wildlife fifth series has been released on the 2nd January 2010. The wildlife series of stamps has been a hot favourite with Norwegian collectors since they were first issued several years ago.

The stamp set depicts the following animals;

The Norwegian Wolverine (Gulo gulo) can be about 100 cm long and weigh 25-30 kg. Wolverine can live to the age of 17. A wolverine is well adapted for life on snow and soft marshland. It is said to have a bite pressure of several tons. Reindeer is its primary food, but it also eats foxes, hares, hedgehogs, small rodents and grouse. In Norway, wolverines occur almost continously in the mountain areas along the Swedish border down to Femunden in the south. Until 1973 the Wolverine was a game animal with a price on its head. It was then placed under protection in southern Norway. Nine years later it came under total protection.

The Lemming (Lemmus lemmus) is a small, compact rodent, about 7-15 cm long. It is a herbivore, eating mostly moss and grass. In captivity it can live until the age of 3. Every 3 or 4 years is a lemming year, with large numbers of lemmings. Lemmings prefer the open landscape above the tree line. In the south of Norway they therefore live in mountain areas, while in the north they go almost all the way down to the sea.

The Otter (Lutra lutra) is an excellent swimmer, and fish are its most common prey. Adult males weigh 6-12 kg and have a body length (minus tail) of about 70 cm. The otter can reach an age of 18 years. They are most common in coastal areas in central and northern Norway. Until 1932, a reward was paid for killing otters. The stock has since then gradually picked up.