How do caribou get food?

Caribou primarily obtain their food by grazing on vegetation, with a particular reliance on lichens, especially in their northern habitats. As herbivores, their diet consists entirely of plant matter, specifically adapted to the challenging environments they inhabit.

The Importance of Lichens

The main staple of a caribou's diet is lichens. These unique organisms, which are a symbiotic partnership between a fungus and an alga, provide a crucial food source for caribou. One common and significant type of lichen they consume is often referred to as "caribou moss", scientifically known as Cladonia rangiferina.

This strong reliance on lichens offers caribou a distinct advantage, particularly in the harsh northern areas of their range where other forms of vegetation may be limited or difficult to access, especially during winter months. Lichens are relatively abundant in these environments and can be found even under snow, allowing caribou to sustain themselves when other food sources are buried or unavailable.

Adapting to the Environment

Caribou employ specific foraging behaviors that allow them to successfully access their primary food source, even in challenging conditions:

• Cratering for Lichens: During winter, caribou use their broad hooves and often their antlers to dig through snow, a process called "cratering." This allows them to reach and feed on lichens buried beneath the snow, providing vital sustenance when other vegetation is scarce.
• General Herbivory: While lichens are the main food source, caribou are herbivores and will graze on available vegetation. Their ability to rely heavily on lichens provides them with a consistent food supply in their northern habitats.

Here's a quick look at their primary food source:

Through these specialized feeding habits, caribou are uniquely equipped to thrive in some of the world's most extreme northern ecosystems.