Meet Our Animals > Caribou
 
Quick Facts
Native to Northern regions of Europe, North America, Asia, Greenland
Primary Diet Vegetation, including mosses, herbs, ferns, grasses, shoots and leaves of shrubs and trees, lichen, fungi
Adult Weight Up to 300 pounds (female) and up to 600 pounds (male)
Lifespan 15 years
Status Vulnerable

Caribou

Caribou and reindeer are actually the same species, known as “reindeer” in Europe and as “caribou” in North America. “Reindeer” typically refers to domesticated individuals, even in North America. Both male and female caribou have antlers, and in comparison to body size, they’re the largest and heaviest antlers of all living deer species. They dig for food using their large hooves, which are hollowed out on the underside like a big scoop. Caribou trek north as herds in the summer in one of the largest animal migrations on Earth: more than 600 miles along well-traveled routes.

Related

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Mammal

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Northwestern Mutual Family Farm