About the Animals

Caribou/Reindeer

Reindeer and caribou look similar and are the same species. Caribou are members of the deer family that live above the tree-line in arctic North America and Greenland. They can survive on lichens in the winter. This ability makes them very well adapted for the harsh arctic tundra where they migrate great distances each year. Caribou cows and bulls both grow distinctive antlers. Antlers on mature males can reach 4 feet in width! Reindeer are slightly smaller than caribou and were domesticated in northern Europe about 2000 years ago. Today, they are herded by many Arctic peoples in Europe and Asia including the Sami in Scandinavia and the Nenets, Chukchi and others in Russia. These peoples depended on the reindeer for almost everything in their economy including food, clothing and shelter. Reindeer meat is regularly harvested and remains an important food source in northern Europe. Many still keep reindeer for pulling sleighs. Reindeer were imported into Alaska and Canada during the last century, to introduce native peoples to reindeer herding. However, these well meaning attempts failed. Native peoples in these countries preferred to hunt caribou rather than herd reindeer. Reindeer and caribou have unique hairs that trap air and provide them with excellent insulation. These hairs also help keep them buoyant in the water. They are very strong swimmers and can move across wide rushing rivers and even the frozen ice of the Arctic Ocean!

Reindeer and caribou usually have one calf (fawn) each year in April after a gestation period of about 8 months. Rut or breeding season begins in August/September with the gathering of large herds. The strongest and largest males mate with the most females.

Fawns are mostly dark brown to black when they are born and weigh between 8 to 12 pounds. The females isolate themselves for a day or so for the birth of their fawn, but must quickly rejoin the migrating herds. Caribou / reindeer calves can travel great distances with the herd within a day or two of their birth. Reindeer fawns grow very quickly on the rich milk their mothers provide. Fawns also grow antlers in their first summer of life. They can be weaned at 3 to 4 months of age.