Caribou

Rangifer tarandus

The Caribou (known as the Reindeer in Europe and Asia) sometimes gathers in groups of up to 100,000 in late winter. As spring proceeds, herds begin to move northward, migrating to their calving grounds, where the young are born. The newborn calf can stand in about 30 minutes, run after 90 minutes, and keep up with the herd within 24 hours. An adult Caribou can run at speeds of nearly 50 miles per hour and is a good swimmer. Come fall the Caribou move southward to winter feeding grounds.

Look For : A medium-size deer in various shades of brown with a white throat and neck and massive antlers. Often seen in huge migratory herds; hooves make a clicking sound when Caribou run. Caribou dig deep pits in snow to get at lichens.

Length : Body 4-8' long.

Habitat : Tundra and mountainous pine forests.

Range : Throughout Alaska and Canada.