![]() The barren-ground, Porcupine and Peary caribou live in the tundra, while the shy boreal woodland caribou prefer the boreal forest. The North American range of caribou extends from Alaska through the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut into the boreal forest and south through the Canadian Rockies and the Columbia and Selkirk Mountains. The New York Times in April 2018 similarly reported of the disappearance of the only herd of southern mountain caribous in the lower 48 states, with an expert calling it “functionally extinct” after the herd’s size dwindled to a mere three animals.Rangifer varies in size and colour from the smallest, the Svalbard reindeer, to the largest, the boreal woodland caribou. As of January 2018, there are fewer than 9,000 animals estimated to be left in the George River herd as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. caribou) George River herd in Canada, with former variations between 28,000 and 385,000. What was once the second largest herd is the migratory boreal woodland caribou (R. sibiricus) in Russia is the largest wild reindeer herd in the world, with numbers varying between 400,000 and 1,000,000. The Taimyr herd of migrating Siberian tundra reindeer (R. ![]() Rangifer herd size varies greatly in different geographic regions. This includes both sedentary and migratory populations. ![]() The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as the caribou in North America, is a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic, tundra, boreal and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia and North America. elaphus are the former’s wider rump patch and paler-hued antlers. Key morphological differences that distinguish C. The meat is leaner and higher in protein than beef or chicken.It was long believed to be a subspecies of the European red deer (Cervus elaphus), but evidence from many mitochondrial DNA genetic studies beginning in 1998 show that the two are distinct species. In parts of Asia, antlers and their velvet are used in traditional medicines. Some cultures revere the elk as a spiritual force. ![]() Efforts to eliminate infectious diseases from elk populations, largely by vaccination, have had mixed success. Their great adaptability may threaten endemic species and ecosystems into which they have been introduced.Įlk are susceptible to a number of infectious diseases, some of which can be transmitted to livestock. Males also engage in ritualized mating behaviors during the rut, including posturing, antler wrestling (sparring), and bugling, a loud series of vocalizations that establishes dominance over other males and attracts females.Īlthough they are native to North America and eastern Asia, they have adapted well to countries in which they have been introduced, including Argentina and New Zealand. Male elk have large antlers which are shed each year. This animal should not be confused with the still larger moose (Alces alces) to which the name “elk” applies in British English and in reference to populations in Eurasia.Įlk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. The elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis) is one of the largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, in the world, and one of the largest land mammals in North America and Eastern Asia.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |