Caribou in Canada: Sightseeing Facts, Features & Species

Caribou are large animals that look like deer and inhabit icy areas. Their fur is thick to keep them warm in the freezing weather. Their feet are big and flat, which helps them walk on top of deep snow without falling through. Other animals like wolves and bears catch and eat caribou.

Caribou are an iconic species found across Canada’s northern regions. These impressive reindeer relatives walk across the vast tundra and boreal forests, making annual migrations of hundreds of miles. Their large antlers and warm coats are well-adapted to survive harsh Canadian winters.

Physical Characteristics of Caribou

Below are some physical characteristics of these species wandering in different Canadian states;

Features	Relevant Information
Scientific Name	Rangifer tarandus
Life Span	Average is 8 – 10 years and can go up to 15 years.
Diet	Willow, Sedges, Plants, Mushrooms, and Blooming Taundra In winter, they eat lichens, dried sedges, and shrubs.
Height	About 1- 1.2 meters
Average Weight	For males, it is 180kg. for females, it is 135 kg.
Habitat	High arctic areas, Old and mature forests
Role in Ecosystem	Vegetation management, Nutrient recycling, Habitat creation and Ecosystem engineering
Status of specie	Not Endangered

Here is a list of some fascinating facts about this unique animal inhabiting the Canadian land that will increase your curiosity to see these wild animals:

•  Caribou and Reindeer 

  Caribou are the same species as reindeer, but they are called caribou in North America.
  

•  Insulating Fur 

  Caribou are well-adapted to cold climates with their hollow fur, which traps air and insulates their bodies from the cold.
  

•  Excellent Swimmers 

  They are excellent swimmers and can cross rivers, lakes, and even the ocean during their migrations.
  

•  Snowshoe Hooves 

  Caribou have large, flat hooves that act like snowshoes, making it easier for them to travel across snow and ice.
  

•  Herd Structure 

  Females live in herds, but males typically travel alone or in small groups.
  

•  Antler Growth 

  The male and female caribou grow giant antlers made of bone on their heads. The antlers fall off, but new ones grow back each year.
  

•  Canadian Symbolism 

  The Caribou is featured on the Canadian 25-cent coin, which is known as the “Caribou Quarter.”
  

•  Native Resource 

  Caribou has been an essential source of food, clothing, and tools for many native communities in Canada for thousands of years.
  

•  Migration to Isolated Places 

  Caribou walk for miles and miles to find things to eat and safe places to have baby caribou.

Sub-Species of Caribou in Canada

3 subspecies of caribou are commonly found in Canadian territory;

•  Woodland Caribou 

  This species is also named “Boreal Forest Dwelling Caribou”. They are found in boreal forests living in small groups.
  

•  Barren-ground Caribou 

  These caribous arrive after migration to Canada from other areas and inhabit Canadian lands. The major type is the Porcupine Caribou.
  

•  Peary Caribou 

  They are commonly populated in the northern and high arctic areas of Canada. They are classified as the smallest caribous in Canada.

Sightseeing of Caribou in Canada

These mammals can be seen throughout Canada from the western, southern, eastern, and northern territories.

Direction of the Country	Places Where Caribou Can be Seen
Western Side	British Columbia, Alberta
Eastern Side	Newfoundland, Labrador, Quebec
Northern Side	Mackenzie Mountains, Taiga Shield region, Baffin Island,  Ogilvie Mountains
Central Region	Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario

Some national parks have abundant populations of these species and individuals interested in capturing them in cameras.

1. Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve
2. Torngat Mountains National Park
3. Northern Rockies region
4. Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park
5. Caribou River Provincial Park
6. Atikaki Provincial Park
7. Wabakimi Provincial Park
8. Polar Bear Provincial Park
   

Worthy Time for Viewing Caribou in Canada

The best time to see caribou lasts the whole year but varies from one place to another. Different places can have different times for seeing caribou and some of them are listed;

Season	Months for Sightseeing
Summer and Late Summer (In arctic areas)	June to August
Fall	September to November