Frequently Asked Questions about Caribou
This information is based on research listed in the partial bibliography of scientific research pertaining to the Refuge. Some specific references are noted within the text.
Caribou Migration
- Why are some Porcupine Caribou herd calves born in Canada or the mountains?
- In spring the Porcupine caribou herd migrates hundreds of miles from winter ranges located
south of the Brooks Range in Alaska, and from areas in Yukon Territory, to its traditional
calving grounds on the Arctic Refuge's coastal plain and foothills.
In years when there's deep snow on the winter range and
along the migration routes, and when the spring snow melt is delayed by cold temperatures,
caribou cows are delayed in reaching these preferred calving grounds.
When this happens, the calves are born along the migration routes and on calving habitats in Canada.
This happened in 1987, 2000 and 2001.
Sometimes caribou are not delayed during the spring
migration, but when they arrive at the edge of the foothills they find it is still covered
by snow because cold temperatures have delayed snow-melt. In this case, the cow caribou
give birth in snow free or partially snow free areas to the south, near or in the northern
mountain valleys. This happened in 1988. In 1987, 1988, 2000 and 2001, nearly all of the herd continued north toward the traditional calving grounds after the young calves were able to travel with their mothers. After calving, the cows and calves are joined by the bulls and yearlings. Almost every year,
no matter where calving occurs, the caribou then gather on the Refuge's
coastal plain and foothills to feed on the abundant vegetation.
The caribou later move to nearby coastal areas to escape from harassing insects.
Variation in snow melt patterns and the timing and location of plant growth on the calving
grounds determine where the cows choose to have their calves
each year. Although there are some years when Porcupine Caribou herd cows have their calves
outside the traditional area, long-term data show* that most Porcupine Caribou herd
calves are born within the foothills and coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
-
- [*Griffith, B., D. C. Douglas, N. E. Walsh, D. D. Young, T. R. McCabe, D. E. Russell, R. G. White, R. D. Cameron, and K. R. Whitten. 2002. The Porcupine caribou herd. Pages 8-37 in D. C. Douglas, P. E. Reynolds, and E. B. Rhode, editors. Arctic Refuge coastal plain terrestrial wildlife research summaries. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Biological Science Report USGS/BRD/BSR-2002-0001.]
- Why do caribou migrate?
- Some animals stay in one area their entire life. Others, like caribou, migrate on long
journeys. Caribou migrate between summer and winter ranges. Their summer range provides nutritious
food that helps the new calves and the other caribou grow healthy and fat before winter. But the
summer range is a harsh and windy place during winter, so the caribou move to a winter range
where conditions (weather, food, snow cover) are more agreeable.
- What happens to the young when caribou migrate?
- Soon after birth, the caribou calf and its mother develop a strong bond. They try to stay
close to each other, and they can recognize each other by smell and by the
sounds they make. This is important because the caribou calves are fast runners within hours of
their birth. When caribou migrate, the calves run with their mothers. If they become separated, the
mother searches for many hours to find her calf.
- How far do caribou migrate?
- Caribou herds migrate different distances. Large herds are more apt to migrate long
distances, while smaller herds often migrate shorter distances. For example, the Porcupine
caribou herd, which contains about 123,000 animals, migrates between summer and winter
ranges that are about 400 miles apart. The Central Arctic herd, which contains about 27,000
animals, migrates between summer and winter ranges that are about 120 miles apart.
- Biologists have discovered, by using satellites to track caribou, that the herds actually
travel much farther than the straight-line distance between summer and winter ranges would indicate. They move to
and fro over a wide area, adding many miles to their journeys. Porcupine Caribou herd animals, for example, have been observed to travel over 3000 miles per year.
- Will caribou cross barriers when they migrate?
- It is quite common to find situations where caribou are reluctant to cross roads, berms, pipelines and
other related obstacles. Being terrestrial migrators, caribou must deal with what ever is placed on
the land by human development (birds are able to fly over most human structures and continue
their migratory habits). Researchers have learned* there are many factors (traffic levels, time of
year, degree of visual obstruction, reproductive status, etc.) which can influence caribou reactions to roads and other potential obstacles, and thus their chances of crossing successfully. Caribou need to move freely over vast areas to forage,
avoid predators, escape from harassing insects, and reach favorable summer and winter ranges.
- Structures such as highways may deflect caribou movements, and reduce their chances
for survival. A single road within a caribou herd's range usually is not as serious as a system of
many roads. In some instances, roads and pipelines can be constructed in ways that reduce problems
for caribou. For example, a ramp may be build to direct caribou over a road, and a pipeline may have buried
sections for caribou to pass over. These modifications can help, but do not always work.
- [*Fancy, S. G., L. F. Pank, K. R. Whitten, and W. L. Reglin. 1989. Seasonal movements of caribou in arctic Alaska as determined by satellite. Canadian Journal of Zoology 67:644-650.]
- Will oil development change migration patterns?
- The effect that oil development may have on caribou migrations depends on many
things, such as the location of the development in relation to migration paths, the density of the
buildings, pipes, and roads, as well as the time of year that caribou are in the
development area. For example, caribou are most sensitive at calving time, and studies have shown
that caribou may be displaced from their traditional calving grounds when oil development occurs
there.
- Do caribou migrate the same distance each year?
- Based on several years' observation of satellite-collared animals of the Porcupine Caribou herd, caribou do not migrate the same distance each year. This is because they often use
different portions of their winter range from year to year. (By using this strategy, caribou are
able to eat winter food over a wide area, which reduces the possibility of eating up all the
available food in any one area.) There are different migration routes leading from the various
portions of winter range, so caribou migrate different distances each year.
- Do caribou migrate for weather or food?
- Certain weather conditions, such as the first severe storm in the fall, stimulate caribou to
migrate toward their winter ranges. After the calves are born in the spring, all the caribou in
the herd come together on the summer range. For large herds such as the Porcupine Caribou herd in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge, the caribou must keep moving so they don't eat all the available food.
- How many caribou die crossing rivers?
- We can't tell you how many die while crossing rivers. Many of these places are
very remote, and nobody is there to watch what happens to the caribou. We do know, however,
that caribou have been encountering rivers for many thousands of years, and yet the herds
survive.
- Caribou have many strategies that help them cross rivers. They (including the
calves) are excellent swimmers, and their hollow winter hair helps them float high in the water.
Caribou do not always plunge blindly into rivers: sometimes they scout out safer crossing
areas or wait for better crossing conditions. We've observed migrating pregnant females
decide not to cross a raging river, but instead, give birth before crossing.
Caribou Biology
- Do caribou stand around and let wolves eat them?
- It sometimes may look like caribou are ignoring predators such as wolves or bears.
Unless they are incapacitated, however, they will run from a predator who gets too close to them.
- There are two characteristics of caribou that may make them appear to show less than the
expected amount of fear toward a predator:
- 1) Caribou may come up and investigate something they aren't sure about.
- 2) Caribou do not want to spend any more energy than they have to. They know what's a
safe distance from a predator, and they can tell by watching how a wolf or bear is behaving
whether the predator is a threat. So it is very possible to see a bear or wolf pass through
a herd of caribou. While the predator ambles along, the caribou do not run away, but
continue to feed or walk. When the predator begins running
toward a group or an individual animal, then those caribou run away.
- When caribou are not alarmed, they walk quite slowly, extending the head forward and
downward. When alarmed, caribou perform a special behavior to warn other caribou of danger.
They'll do this if a predator gets too close, but isn't about to catch them (or after they figure
out that you're a person sitting on a rock). An alarmed caribou will trot with the head held
high and parallel to the ground, and the short,
normally floppy tail held up in the air. They gallop very quickly when being chased
closely by a predator.
- Where are Caribou found?
- Caribou and reindeer are the same species (Rangifer tarandus). Reindeer are a domesticated
variety of caribou that are herded by humans and used for pulling sleds. Most reindeer
occur in Scandinavia and Siberia. They generally are smaller and have shorter legs than their
wild relatives. In Siberia, caribou are referred to as "wild" reindeer.
- Caribou are found in Alaska and Canada. Caribou used to live in Maine and the northern Great Lakes states, but they are no longer found in those areas. A small, endangered woodland caribou herd exists in northern Idaho and northwest Montana.
- An unusual situation exists at South Georgia, an island near Antarctica, where reindeer
from Norway were introduced in the early 1900's. Because of the opposite seasons in the
southern hemisphere, these animals had to change the timing of breeding and calving by a half
year.
- Why are the caribou in Idaho and Montana endangered?
- The woodland caribou in that region live in old growth
forests. They do not migrate very far between their summer and winter ranges (less than 40
miles, in some cases), but they are very sensitive to human disturbance and to forest loss.
Woodland caribou do poorly when forests are fragmented into small areas by roads
or by logging operations. As human activities increase, woodland caribou, and other animals
sensitive to disturbance, have disappeared. Only a few areas in the United States still support
woodland caribou, and the animals are endangered in these areas.
- What is the largest herd of caribou?
- There are currently three very large herds of caribou, the Western Arctic herd in northwest
Alaska, the George River herd in northern Quebec, and the Taimyr Peninsula herd in Siberia.
Each herd is currently estimated at close to 500,000 or more individuals. Due to different census techniques and schedules, as well as annual fluctuations in populations, it is not possible to say which of these three herds is currently the largest.
- What is the size of caribou?
- Adult caribou range in size from 3 to 4 feet tall. Their size and weight varies by sex and
region. For
example, caribou are fairly small in northern Alaska. Males average about 275 to 375 pounds,
females about 200 pounds. In southern Alaska, caribou are considerably larger --
males average 400 to 600 pounds and females average 200 to 300 pounds.
- How long do caribou keep their antlers?
- Caribou are the only deer in which both sexes have antlers. Males shed their antlers
following the fall breeding season (young males retain their antlers longer that mature males).
Pregnant females shed their antlers soon after the calves are born in the spring. Non-pregnant
females shed their antlers during the winter.
- How does caribou meat compare with beef?
- Caribou do not store much of their fat in muscle tissue, so their meat is leaner than beef
which often is "marbled" with fat. Caribou meat is considered more healthy than beef, and is
quite tasty.
- Can you get close to a herd of caribou?
- Caribou commonly gather in large herds about three weeks after the calves are born. At this
time the great herds increase their rate of movement, and caribou tend to be less wary when they
are in very large groups.
- What keeps caribou populations in equilibrium?
- When factors having negative effects on caribou productivity and survival occur more
frequently (more bad years than good years), populations decline. Caribou populations
increase when the opposite occurs. If positive and negative effects are balanced, caribou
populations remain stable.
- Usually a combination of factors cause caribou numbers to change. Harsh weather can
reduce plant growth, which causes poor caribou nutrition, and reduced survival. Some years,
insect harassment interferes with caribou foraging, which also decreases survival. If it rains
during the winter, ice can prevent caribou from getting their food. They may starve when this
happens.
- Wolf populations in caribou winter ranges can increase in response to higher levels of
other prey such as moose. When caribou return to the winter range they are preyed on more
heavily by the increased number of wolves. On the other hand, when arctic foxes reach a high
in
their population cycle, they sometimes spread rabies to neighboring wolves. This results in
reduced wolf predation on caribou.
- How long do caribou live?
- Male caribou live about seven to eight years. Females live slightly longer, to 10 or more years.
These are very general numbers. Every animal faces its own set of situations that lead to a
shorter or longer life. If a caribou lives in a herd that is declining, it probably will have a shorter life than a caribou in a healthy or expanding herd. Also, many caribou die within the first year after they are born, so never reach adult age.
- Are orphan caribou calves "adopted"?
- Orphan caribou calves are not adopted by other caribou mothers. If the mother dies, or
the calf becomes permanently separated from its mother, the calf will not survive.
- What are caribous' natural predators?
- Several species are known to prey on caribou. Wolves prey on caribou throughout the
year, but most frequently in the winter. Bears prey on caribou during spring,
summer and fall. Golden eagles take young calves during the early summer, and lynx are able
to
kill calves in the fall when caribou migrate into forested areas. When snow is deep, wolverines
are sometimes able to kill caribou. Humans have hunted caribou for many thousands of
years.
- Do female caribou pick males with large antlers to breed with?
- The female doesn't actually pick males with large antlers, but the females do often end up
breeding with males that have large antlers. This is because the mature males (those with
the largest antlers) work hard to keep younger males (with smaller antlers) away from the
females during breeding time.
- The males with the largest antlers are in the best health, and they have been
good at finding food all their lives (so their bodies can grow these large antlers). When these
animals do most of
the breeding, their genes are passed on to new generations, and this ensures that the herd
remains healthy.
- Are caribou and elk related?
- Both caribou and elk are hoofed mammals of the deer family. Caribou (males weigh
about
500 pounds) are generally smaller than elk (males weigh about 700 pounds). Caribou
often occur in large herds which migrate over long distances. Elk generally
occur in smaller herds, and migrate over relatively short distances. They usually migrate
between summer ranges at higher elevations, and winter ranges in mountain valleys.
- Are caribou and reindeer related?
- Caribou and reindeer are the same species (Rangifer tarandus). Reindeer are a domesticated
variety of caribou that are herded by humans and used for pulling sleds. Most reindeer
occur in Scandinavia and Siberia. They generally are smaller and have shorter legs than their
wild relatives. In Siberia, caribou are referred to as "wild" reindeer.
- A number of reindeer have been imported to Alaska, primarily to the Seward Peninsula.
These herds are owned by Alaska Natives.
- How do Wildlife Refuges protect caribou?
- In the U.S., the National Wildlife Refuge System preserves a national network of lands
and waters for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife and plants for the benefit of
present and future generations. There are currently over 500 different wildlife refuges. Refuge
lands are legally protected from activities and developments which are harmful to wildlife or
their habitat. Human activities which are compatible with refuge purposes are allowed on
wildlife refuges. In Alaska, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge protects the primary calving
grounds and some of the wintering areas of the Porcupine caribou herd, one of the major caribou
herds in North America.
- How can caribou travel in the cold and on ice?
- Caribou are well equipped to survive in cold, snowy places. In winter, their hair is about
three inches long. This winter hair is hollow inside, to trap air
and keep warmth near their bodies. This hollow hair also helps the caribou to cross rivers and
lakes after spring thaws, because it acts like a life jacket full of air, and helps them to float.
- Caribou have four hoofed "toes" on each foot. They usually walk on the two larger ones,
like a cow does. When they are in snow, however, these four "toes" spread out wide to act like
snow-shoes, which help the caribou walk on deep snow.
- Caribou can walk on bumpy ice without slipping, but if they get onto shiny, smooth ice,
their hooves slide out from under them and they may fall. Sometimes they even break their legs this way.
- How big does a refuge need to be for 100 caribou?
- The answer depends on whether the caribou are wild, or if they are captive animals being
cared for by people.
- Wild caribou need areas that are large enough for them to find food and shelter, and avoid
predators during every month of the year. If summer food is far from safe winter areas, they
need a very large area. For example, the Porcupine caribou herd now has about 123,000 animals
and travels over about 96,000 square miles of land. Captive animals do not need room to run away from predators, and they don't have to find their own food. If people keep caribou pens clean, the animals can live in quite small areas, just as a horse can.
- Do mosquitoes play a role in caribou behavior?
- Mosquitoes do play an important role in caribou behavior. Mosquitoes appear in early
summer, just as the caribou are shedding their long winter hair. The insects can easily draw
blood from the caribou at this time, and seriously torment the animals. The problem is worst
when the weather is warm, winds are calm, and the caribou are in damp tundra areas where the
mosquitoes breed. Caribou try to avoid mosquitoes by a variety of strategies, depending on
where they live: they run; move to higher areas that may be windy and dry; move to
snow or ice patches that are too cool for the insects to be active; move out into large lakes
or shallow salt water; and/or bunch up into very dense groups.
- The running, blood loss, and inability to spend time eating cause caribou to lose weight
during a time of year when they need to be getting fat for the coming winter. Mosquitoes are
therefore a major influence in the lives of caribou.
- Are calving grounds essential for caribou survival?
- Yes. Each spring, pregnant female caribou begin long migrations towards their traditional
calving grounds. Their instinct to reach these areas is very strong, and enables them to travel
through deep snow and storms, and to cross rivers flooding with icebergs to reach the calving
grounds at just the right time. Soon after they arrive on the calving grounds, the calves are born.
Studies have shown that predators are less abundant on the calving grounds, so the young calves
are safer at a time when they are too weak to escape from wolves and bears. The preferred calving
grounds also have an abundance of highly nutritious new plant growth* which enables the
mother caribou to produce rich milk for their calves. This is very important as it allows the
calves to grow rapidly so that they can escape from predators and harassing insects, and
keep up with the herd as it migrates to the winter range. In summary, it is the special conditions
of the calving grounds which improve the survival of calves and ultimately the entire herd.
- [*Griffith, B., D. C. Douglas, N. E. Walsh, D. D. Young, T. R. McCabe, D. E. Russell, R. G. White, R. D. Cameron, and K. R. Whitten. 2002. The Porcupine caribou herd. Pages 8-37 in D. C. Douglas, P. E. Reynolds, and E. B. Rhode, editors. Arctic Refuge coastal plain terrestrial wildlife research summaries. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Biological Science Report USGS/BRD/BSR-2002-0001.]
- What might happen if development occurred on a caribou calving area?
- This is a very interesting question, and one of much concern. Caribou calving
grounds are special areas which are essential to survival of the young, and ultimately the health
of the entire herd.
- Pregnant caribou, and females with young calves, are especially sensitive to disturbances
such as the presence of humans, vehicles and sounds*. This heightened sensitivity enables
females to avoid predators, which improves the chances of their young surviving. Studies show
that caribou move away from disturbances during the calving season. This could prevent caribou
from using valuable areas of a calving ground, and result in increased mortality of young by
predators. It can also prevent mothers from getting the most nutritious food, which in turn can
lead to poor nutrition for them and their nursing calves. Displacement of caribou from preferred
habitats can result in crowded conditions in low-quality areas, making it even harder for
caribou to get proper nutrition. If normal growth and nutrition are reduced on the calving
grounds, caribou will enter the winter without the fat reserves they need for survival, and
females may not be able to produce calves the following spring.
- These events contribute to reduced productivity and increased mortality, which
ultimately results in decline of the caribou population.
- [*Cameron, R. D., W. T. Smith, R.G. White, and B. Griffith, B. 2002. The Central Arctic Caribou Herd. Pages 38-45 in D.C. Douglas, P.E. Reynolds, and E.B. Rhode, editors. Arctic Refuge coastal plain terrestrial wildlife research summaries. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Biological Science Report USGS/BRD/BSR-2002-0001.]
- How many caribou are at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
- There are two caribou herds that use the Arctic Refuge; all 123,000 animals of the Porcupine
Caribou herd, and about 19,000 animals (60%) of the Central Arctic herd. The caribou live in
the Refuge, and in neighboring lands in the U.S. and Canada. The Arctic Refuge is about 200 miles north to south, and about 200 miles east to west
(it's almost the same size as South Carolina). This remote area remains pretty much as it has
been since glaciers covered North America. Because it is so wild, half of the Refuge has been
designated as a Wilderness Area,the largest in all the National Wildlife Refuges.
- National Wildlife Refuges belong to all Americans, and their purposes are to protect
wildlife and habitats, and provide opportunities for people to enjoy these areas now and in the
future.
September 12, 2008
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