Caribou in the Night

            Among most species of deer, the male is the only one to carry antlers. The moose, white-tail, pronghorn and mule deer all reserve their antlers for the bulls only. But there’s one species that’s thrown that tradition and started one of the own. This is the only species where you’ll ever see the female sporting a display a crown, right along with her male counterpart.

            The caribou. A mighty and impressive creature with a dark chestnut coat and a proud white chest, They are to be taken seriously at up to 500 lbs for some adult males.

            They’ve been being domesticated for centuries. They’ve been on coins and stamps and are well-known and loved in our Christmas lore as reindeer (although none are known to have particularly red noses). They’re very much a part of our world.

            Yet, in spite of their prominent place in our culture, there is more to learn.

            According to this recent article, scientists have very recently discovered that caribou have a very unusual and surprising trait.

            Some species of caribou live in the farthest reaches of the icy north. Here, once a year, due to the tilt of the earth, the sun never breaks the horizon, leaving the land perpetually in the dark of night for about four months. During this time, the animals that live there must adapt to see in the dark, or they won`t be able to find food. It`s a matter of survival. Scientists studying this animal have made the amazing discovery that during the dark period, the caribou eyes will actually change color from their regular gold to a shiny blue.

            We all know about animal changing fur color in winter to blend with the snow -- but changing eye color? That’s new. They say the color change is forced by the dilation of the pupils relieving pressure on the retinas.

            But there was one last surprise. When the scientists took some caribou to a research station to study them a little closer, the animals’ eyes changed again. This time to green, due to the man-made light pollution!

            Here are some more facts about caribou.

·       The name is thought to come from a Micmac word meaning “one who paws”, referring to the animals habit of pawing through the snow to find grass to graze underneath.

·      Caribou have been clocked sprinting at up to 50 miles per hour.

·      When in danger, caribou give off a scent to warn other animals as they run.

·       There is a smaller, snowy white species of caribou called the Peary Caribou. It’s found only in the farthest reaches of the arctic and are endangered.

One time I took a guided tour in the mountain wilderness for my vacation getaway. Our tour guide told us, much to my excitement, that a big herd of caribou had been sighted several times in the area. Up to three hundred animals, he said. And we were passing the area where they were sighted! There was a good chance we would see them. I readied my camera.

But when we reached the area, there were only miles of deep coniferous forest and mountain rocks. My heart sank.

“But look!” Our guide said at last.

I peered eagerly out the window and stared at the ground where he pointed. Below us, hundreds and hundreds of hoof-prints thundered across the mud flats.