What are caribou?

Also sometimes called reindeer, caribou are mammals known for their large hooves, as well as the antlers that appear on the heads of both the males (boys) and the females (girls). In fact, caribou are the only deer species in which both males and females have antlers! Caribou can be found in the Northern areas of North America, Asia, Europe and Greenland. 

Caribou are herbivores, or plant-eaters. Adults can eat 12 pounds of grass and plants per day during the summer months! Lichen is eaten during the winter. Female caribou, or cows, give birth to one calf per year. Caribou may be large and powerful, but they must be on the lookout for predators, such as wolves, bears, and lynx, a type of wild cat.

To survive the winter, some caribou migrate, traveling to areas with more shelter. In addition, caribou have bodies that help them to survive. For example, their hair grows in the winter, and because this hair is hollow inside, it can trap air and keep the body warm. Similarly, the hollow underside of a caribou’s hoof can act like a scoop, helping the creature to trudge through the snow. The hooves’ sharp edges can even assist caribou in gripping the ice!