The seasonal movement of caribou herds across the tundra and boreal forest of North America, in which some herds travel farther overland than any other terrestrial mammal, covering well over 1,000 kilometers each way between winter forest range and summer calving grounds on the open tundra. The Porcupine caribou herd's migration between Alaska and Canada's Yukon is among the best documented, timed closely to the herd's need to reach calving grounds ahead of peak insect harassment and while forage is at its most nutritious.
Facts
PeriodicityCaribou herds move seasonally, going to the north slope of the Brooks Range for summer and to the south side of the mountains for winter. 1 ScaleFour herds together, the Western Arctic, Teshekpuk, Central Arctic and Porcupine caribou herds, totaling over half a million animals, migrate through the Central Brooks Range. 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceCaribou have special feet that spread apart, helping them walk on snow and spongy tundra and swim. 1 Sources
1. National Park Service: Gates of the Arctic, Caribou
Migration paragraph, seasonal pattern
moving to the north slope for summer and to the south side of the mountains in winter
Migration paragraph, herd totals
Most Western Arctic Herd, Teshekpuk Herd, Central Arctic Herd, and the Porcupine Herd caribou; totaling over half a million animals, migrate through the Central Brooks Range moving to the north slope for summer and to the south side of the mountains in winter.
Physical characteristics paragraph
special feet that spread apart, helping them walk on snow and spongy tundra, and swim
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