But slow internet.
Starting to see more sign of bear, but no sightings yet.
It's also a very french crew this year, so D you better brush up on your conversational french.
---
A few questions, maybe you all can help me with as a non-cervid biologist.
i) Are caribou legs evolved for running in snow?
ii) Is their natural anti-predator response to run at you?
iii) Is it too early to have velvet on antlers?
J'aime beaucoup ses photos.
ReplyDelete1) I remember from my organic chemistry class that their fat has a higher proportion of Trans-fat, so that it doesn't freeze at low temperatures. I guess that has nothing to do with running in snow, but how they handle the winter.
ReplyDelete2) I think they are just dumb. Perhaps dumber than grouse.
3) I actually haven't seen too many caribou in the spring. Can't help you there.
1. Not sure about their legs, but their hooves have a larger area relative to their body size compared to deer or moose. I don't know if it would be enough to keep them on top of the snow, but it does help them paw through snow to get at food underneath.
ReplyDelete2. Run AT you? Would've thought it's to run away. I remember reading that caribou calves are able to outrun a wolf at a ridiculously young age (something like a few hours after they are born).
3. Not sure. You'd think the males would be starting to grow theirs by now so they should be covered in velvet. Wouldn't the females still have theirs? Think they drop in the summer.
yah - females are mostly dropping them now. I found one the other day.
ReplyDeleteWhenever we spook them they always run at us before turning away. I think they may confuse us for other caribou
Like I said, caribou are pretty dumb. My experiences with them have always been pretty cool because they always came up to take a closer look. Perhaps they have poor eyesight or they are just curious buggers.
ReplyDeleteAlana and I once came upon a herd of 100 or so in the Ruby Ranges in the Yukon and it was like they had a few scout males that came and checked us out. They then returned to the rest of the herd and took off soon after.