| Endangered Species: Arctic Caribou |
Christansburg Elementary
Submitted by: Meouth, Grade 5
Christansburg, Virginia, USA
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Arctic Caribou
unknown |
Why Study This Topic?
I'm studying the Arctic caribou. I want to know everything
about the Arctic caribou. I would like to know information such as where
it lives, what it eats, and how it eats. I'd also like to know where
it sleeps. Finally, I'd like to know what are its predators and prey.
I'm interested in the Caribou because its part of the deer
family. I've always been interested in deer hunting. In fact, I'm going
deer hunting this weekend, and I'll be able to compare the two deer. the
White tail and caribou. That's why I'm studying caribou.
What Was Already Known
Before I searched I knew that caribou were in the
Arctic. I also knew that caribou are called reindeer, like
"Santa's" raindeer. I also knew that The Arctic caribou are in the
deer family. Caribou are a bit bigger than a deer. The reason
the caribou is endangered is because people hunt it too much. There are
hunting parties in Canada, or so there used to be, because its endangered.
As you'd expect, the caribou have been over hunted. They've taken action
about it, so they're protected. That's what I know about them.
Search for Information
I've been to a lot of search places. I've been to
an encyclopedia. I've had problems searching on the Internet. It always
comes up as something else. I've learned while I was searching that caribou
shed their antlers, and they're over hunted. That's my story of caribou
search.
Description of Plant or Animal
The caribou is a brownish animal. It looks a lot
like a deer. Caribou have huge antlers. They have gray hooves on them.
They have extra thick coats. Caribou are 4-5 feet tall. Caribou are herbivores.
They only eat grass and plants like that. Caribou are hunted by people
and wolves, so they can run fast. They have very short tails. That's my
description of the caribou.
Habitat Requirements
The caribou have a lot of habitat requirements.
Caribou are herbivores, so they only eat grass and other plants.
Caribou get their water from streams and ponds. Some of them are frozen,
so either they brake the ice or wait till another animal like a Musk ox
does
it. For shelter, they try to get in caves and get shelter. For space, they
have the whole outdoors. Caribou are careful around their predators. That's
the caribou requirements.
Adaptations
Caribou have natural enemies. Caribou do not have
any prey. Instead they eat plants. Their predators are wolves and people.
Wolves love to eat caribou, and so do people. Caribou have great features
such as they shed their antlers every year. After they come back, there
antlers are covered in velvety growth. Their hooves are also like their
boots and flippers. That's the characteristics of the caribou.
Reasons for Endangerment
The caribou are endangered. Logging, coal mining,
and oil have greatly reduced the caribou habitat. When areas of forests
are not logged, caribou population increases. As caribou numbers
increase, wolves come in and eat them. The Caribou are over hunted. It
is illegal to kill caribou in most countries.
Restoration Actions
Caribou are endangered. They are protected by law,
like in Alberta. On some caribou sites, people talk about hunting caribou.
Action has and will take place on some of those sites by government authorities.
In some countries, it's legal to kill Caribou, so they can have those sites.
Predators are also a problem. When predator numbers
increase, caribou numbers decreases. Caribou are well protected by law.
That's the restoration action.
What Was Learned
The Caribou are all in the deer family. They also
have the same qualities, too. They come from the Arctic, like Canada. Caribou
have a lot of problems, such as men over hunting them. There are only about
70,000 of them left. That's basically what I learned.
Conclusions From Research
People should be aware of that caribou are
a threatened species. I've learned a lot of research skills such as where
to and how to search.
I think that people should protect the caribou
and all other species, endangered or not.
I also confidence in looking for information.
I now have a lot experience on computers. I've learned
tons of information on this animal. That's my research on
the Arctic caribou.
Bibliography
http://www.thelon.com/caribou.htm
http://www.mcps.org/ces/technoprojects/technozoo/arctic.html
http://planetpets.simplenet.com/plntcara.htm
http://www.raysweb.net/specialplaces/pages/caribou.html
http://www.thelon.com/
http://planetpets.simplenet.com/
http://www.raysweb.net/
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Last updated on January 25, 2000
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