Finland’s lakes, archipelagos and boreal forests create pockets of habitat where isolation and post‑glacial history have allowed unique local forms to persist. Those conditions mean a handful of organisms are found nowhere else on Earth.
There are 1 Endemic Species of Finland, ranging from Saimaa ringed seal to Saimaa ringed seal. The Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis) is confined to the Lake Saimaa region, showing how limited an endemic’s known range can be. For each entry you’ll find below Scientific name,Taxon,Known range in Finland.
Is the Saimaa ringed seal the only species endemic to Finland?
Yes — most authoritative lists recognize the Saimaa ringed seal as the single endemic species for Finland; it occurs only in Lake Saimaa, has a small population of a few hundred animals, and is protected by targeted conservation measures (habitat protection, restrictions on fishing and breeding‑season safeguards). The table below gives the scientific name, taxon and exact known range so you can see the details.
Endemic Species of Finland
| Name | Scientific name | Taxon | Known range in Finland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saimaa ringed seal | Pusa hispida saimensis | Mammal | Lake Saimaa complex, south-eastern Finland |
Images and Descriptions
Saimaa ringed seal
A tiny freshwater seal living only in Lake Saimaa’s labyrinth of islands and channels; breeds in snow lairs on ice. Critically endangered, remarkable as a landlocked ringed seal and is endemic to Finland, found nowhere else in the world.
