Caribou

Located

Caribou, or Reindeer, are located in northern countries such as Canada, Russia, Greenland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. They can also be found in the state of Alaska.

They are called caribou in North America, and Reindeer in European countries.

Diet

The diet of the Caribou varies as the seasons change. In the summertime, when vegetation is more plentiful, Caribou will feed on a variety of plants including willow leaves. In the wintertime, Caribou will use their hooves to dig through snow to get to moss and other lichens that lie beneath the arctic surface.

Habitat

Caribou are migratory animals and are known for mass migrations across the tundra in search of food. Caribou are well adapted to living in the tundra with thick fur and skin that enable them to enter frigid rivers while migrating. The hooves of caribou are wide to assist supporting it on surfaces such as mud and snow, and wide hooves also help the caribou to dig and swim.

Size

Female caribou weigh about 200 pounds, and can weigh as little as 180 pounds as adults. Males weigh about twice as much on average but can weigh up to as much as 600 pounds. Caribou stand from 35 - 55 inches at the shoulder.

Description

Males and females both have antlers and shed their antlers at different times in the year. Older males shed theirs after the mating season, and females lose theirs in the summer.

Reproduction

The mating season, or rut, occurs in fall. The calving season occurs in spring when the female gives birth to one calf. On very rare occasions, they can give birth to twins.