Friday, March 16, 2012

Caribou

Historically, the Caribou or reindeer could be found in Scandinavia, eastern Europe, Russia, Mongolia, Northern China, Canada, and the most northern parts of the US (Washington, Idaho, the upper midwest, and Maine.  Today it is pretty much restricted to both tundra and boreal forest of Norway, Finland, Siberia, Greenland, Alaska, and Canada. None exist in the lower 48. In fact, Caribou are gone from the southern parts of Canada as well. Once seen in Banff National Park, the Caribou have moved further north with small populations in Jasper National Park. 

Other interesting facts:

Unlike most deer species, both sexes grow antlers, although the female's aren't as large or elaborate. Caribou have the largest antlers relative to body size or any of the deer. Caribou also have specialized noses that dramatically increase the surface area within the nostrils. Incoming cold air is thus warmed by the animal's body heat before entering the lungs, and water is condensed from the expired air and captured before the deer's breath is exhaled. 
Caribou hooves adapt to the season: in the summer, when the tundra is soft and wet, the footpads become sponge-like and provide extra traction. In the winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the rim of the hoof, which cuts into the ice and crusted snow to keep it from slipping. This also enables them to dig down (an activity known as "cratering") through the snow to their favorite food, a lichen. The knees of many species of reindeer are adapted to produce a clicking sound as they walk.
All of my Caribou photos are taken in Jasper National Park -- at different times of the year, and under different weather conditions.






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