Caribou
Rangifer tarandus
- Where
- Arctic & Subarctic North America, Europe, Asia
- Habitat
- Tundra, Arctic forests, mountain meadows
- Diet
- Herbivore: lichens, mosses, grasses, willows
- Size
- Shoulders 3-4 feet high, weigh 300-500 pounds
- Lifespan
- 10-12 years in wild, up to 15 in captivity
- Conservation
- Vulnerable due to habitat loss, hunting pressures, and climate change
Fun Facts
- Caribou migrate farther than most animals—up to 3,000 miles annually!
- Both males and females grow antlers.
- Their fur turns white in winter for camouflage.
Learn More
Caribou have thick coats with two layers: a dense undercoat and longer guard hairs.
They can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
Antlers are shed and regrown each year, making them renewable resources.