The Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is an ungulate (hoofed) mammal in the deer species. It is also known as the Reindeer.
The Caribou varies in size and colour, from light to dark. The Woodland Caribou has dark-brown fur. Its coat had two layers of fur – a thick woolly undercoat and a longer-haired overcoat. It has large feet with crescent-shaped, cloven (split) hooves, which are wide for walking on snow.
Both the male and the female grow antlers, although the female has smaller antlers. As antlers grow, they become covered in thick dark-brown velvet. The Woodland Caribou loses it antlers and grows a new pair each year.
Woodland Caribou
It measures 162-214 centimetres (64-84 inches) in length. Males are larger than females. The V-shaped antlers grow to about 100 centimetres (39 inches) wide and 135 centimetres (53 inches) long.
The Caribou is native to northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. The Woodland Caribou is native to southern Canada and northwest America.
The Woodland Caribou is a ruminant, like cattle, because it has a four-chambered stomach. It eats lichen and reindeer moss. It also eats leaves and grass. Its predators include wolverines, brown bears, polar bears, and wolves.
It live in herds of several thousands of individuals.
The male is called a bull and the female is called a cow. A female is pregnant for 228-234 days, before giving birth to one live young, called a calf.
Woodland Caribou
Woodland Caribou
Woodland Caribou
Woodland Caribou
Woodland Caribou
Location of photographs: London Zoo, England]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM