caribou facts about caribous

Canada's Woodland Caribou

by Jennifer Smith October 31, 2016

Mountain and Northern Woodland Caribous are members of the deer family known to march more than 600 miles to reach Canada's harsh wintry conditions. When Summer is in session, they migrate to the North from the U.S. so they can stay cool, as cooler weather is what their bodies are most acclimated to handling. Caribou travel in herds as one of the greatest large animal migrations in the world.

Did you know...

1) Rudolph is actually a Caribou, not your typical white-tailed deer.

2) Caribou eat tree lichens which take approximately 80-150 years for a forest to grow enough lichen for a Caribou to consume.

3) Caribou mating season begins early to mid-October and they typically produce one calf.

4) Most Caribou can be found outside of British Columbia.

5) Canada has three types of Caribou: Peary, Barren-grounf and Woodland.

6) The Caribou population in Ontario is approximately 20,000.

7) Woodland Caribou are among 20 species of the world's largest mammals.

8) Caribou are found in the Boreal Forest in all provinces except NB and PEI.

9) Caribou population estimate in Canada reaches 1.5 million!

10) Caribou weigh between 240-700 pounds and are 4-5 feet high at the shoulder.

Although they look majestic, and quite adorable, elk can be destructive and cause garden damage. Install deer and elk fence around lawns and gardens to repel caribou and other deer types. See DeerbustersCanada.ca for deer and elk management fencing.