After reading yesterday's manatee report from Florida , one can't help but wonder how welcome a warm water bath would feel to a caribou. Conditions in the arctic are extreme, and caribou have amazing adaptations for survival. Imagine roaming around on all fours in temperatures at -45 degrees F, and spending several months in almost constant darkness. To respond to this question please follow the instructions at the end of this report. Click Here for Caribou Data For 8 months of the year, caribou habitat is covered with snow.
Snow conditions influence where caribou are able to travel, and the availability of their food.
With their keen sense of smell, they can find food even when its buried under layers of snow. The caribou's challenge is not only to survive the winter, but to have the energy and strength they will need for the spring migration. Ironically, when the snow finally begins to melt, conditions can be worst of all. Snow that melts on warm spring days can re-freeze when temperatures drop, making it impossible to dig for food. The caribou's winter diet is predominantly lichens.