PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

There are seven different types (subspecies) of caribou.

Both sexes grow antlers, although the males' are larger.

In late fall, caribou are clove brown with a white neck, rump, and feet and have a white streak on their side.

Calves are born reddish brown.  They weigh 13 pounds at birth.

Bulls average 350-400 pounds, females average 175-225 pounds.
 

HABITAT AND LIFE CYCLE

Caribou live in the arctic tundra, mountain tundra and northern forests of North America, Russia, and Scandinavia.

The world population of caribou is about 5 million.

Caribou in Alaska are distributed in to 32 herds.  In Europe, caribou are called reindeer, but in Alaska and Canada, only the domestic forms are called reindeer.

The calves can breed at the age of 16 months, but usually do not until they are 28 months old. Calves are ready to fend for themselves at a very young age, something necessary to survive in the North.
 
 

Page last updated on September 6, 2001