Common Name:
Caribou
Scientific Name:
Rangifer tarandus
Unique Qualities:
Known as “reindeer” in Europe, the caribou travels as much as 5,000 km every year – the longest recorded distance ever traveled by any terrestrial mammal.
Can be Seen:
A long time ago, caribou were found in all northern regions, but due to overhunting they are now extinct in many parts of their range. Today, they can be found in Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia and Russia.
Likes to Hang Out:
Caribou can be seen living in Arctic tundra regions. Their large, spreading hooves help them maneuver in the snow in the winter and the marshy tundra in the summer. Caribou are also great swimmers and use their feet as paddles.
Likes to Eat:
Caribou are vegetarians. They eat vegetation such as new growth leaves, lichens, evergreen leaves, and fine twigs.
Status:
The Peary caribou is endangered, the woodland caribou is threatened, and barren-ground caribou is a special concern. Threats include hunting and predation (by wolves, coyotes, and bears). Forestry practices and the spread of agriculture and mining have also negatively affected caribou habitat.
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