Species MammalsWoodland Caribou

Woodland Caribou

Rangifer tarandus caribou

RareMammal
Illustration of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)

The Woodland Caribou is a large, forest-dwelling subspecies that relies on old-growth boreal and montane forests during winter, foraging almost exclusively on ground lichens and tree-hanging lichens like old-man's beard. It is listed as threatened or endangered in much of its range due to industrial forest disturbance, which fragments habitat and allows wolves to penetrate deep forest. The Southern Mountain population is one of the most imperiled large mammal populations in Canada.

Habitat
Old-growth boreal and subalpine forests of Canada
Diet
Lichens in winter; grasses, sedges, and forbs in summer
How common
Rare

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