[redhead]

"Is there a physical difference between woodland & arctic caribou?"

My dad used to have a book on Alaskan wildlife, and it depicted two kinds of caribou: Barren Ground, which had rather small antlers; and Woodland, which had the majestic racks that are seen in the Alaska-tour folders. I don't know if this distinction still holds, or if they are just two "phases" of the same species.

[thackney]

it depicted two kinds of caribou: Barren Ground, which had rather small antlers; and Woodland, which had the majestic racks

I appreciate the info. That said, and re-stating I don't know the difference, the caribou I saw yesterday on the North Slope looked like it had a rack as big as those in Southcentral Alaska.

Perhaps RightWhale knows.

[proud_yank]

Thanks for the info & link. In Canada, I've heard people call them arctic and/or woodland.

Weights of adult bulls average 350-400 pounds (159-182 kg). However, weights of 700 pounds (318 kg) have been recorded. Mature females average 175-225 pounds (80-120 kg). Caribou in northern and southwestern Alaska are generally smaller than caribou in the Interior and in southern parts of the state.

Thats pretty interesting, I always thought they were larger than that.