Student Inquiry - Caribou I wonder... I ask... I explore... I discover... I share... I reflect...

1. I ask: What is the relationship between wolves and caribou?

2. I ask: What is lichen?

3. I ask: What is a reindeer?

4. I ask: What are the characteristics of caribou?

4.1. both male and female caribou have antlers. These antlers have a unique shape - facing up and forward

4.2. hooves are wide to support weight on soft tundra and snow

4.3. caribou have scent glands in their ankles

4.4. they have unique hair to help insulate them and keep them bouyant

4.5. they have a white neck band

4.6. caribou are ungulates and chew a cud

4.7. there are different species and herds in Canada

5. I ask: What does a caribou need to survive?

5.1. Caribou eat moss, lichens, fungus, herbs, shrubs, grasses, willows, bark

5.2. Hooves are used for digging through snow to find the food

5.3. Antlers are used for defense

6. I ask: Why was the caribou chosen for the symbol for the coin of the Canadian quarter?

7. I ask: Where do caribou live?

8. I ask: What other animals have antlers?

9. I ask: how does a caribou move?

9.1. caribou swim

9.2. caribou migrate every spring and fall

9.3. female caribou travel together to calving grounds

9.4. caribou run

10. I ask: Does a caribou have enemies?

10.1. humans are impacting the environment and reducing grazing and calving locations

10.2. insects like mosquitoes and warble and black flies torment caribou

10.3. wolves hunt caribou

11. I ask: Why are caribou important to indigenous people?

11.1. hides for clothing and bedding

11.2. bones, antlers for tools

11.3. meat for food