Caribou

The Caribou is a species of even toed ungulate from the cervid family.

Distribution
Most Caribou live in Auroria.

Antlers
Caribou grow a pair of antlers every spring and loose them every autumn. When the antlers grow, they are covered in velvet, which is shed off in late summer. Daylight affects the growth of antlers and it is possible to use artificial light to keep an antler from shedding. Shed antlers are often used to make tools and ornaments.

When the velvet is being shed off, Caribou often groom each other by trimming off the loose or hanging velvet and cleaning off the blood.

Caribou antlers are C-shaped, with short branches growing forward and long branches growing backward, then upward.

Both male and female Caribou grow antlers, although female antlers are usually smaller and have fewer branches. The antlers of very young, very old and sick Caribou also tend to be smaller.

Antlers not only help defend against threats but also remove snow to uncover vegetation underneath.

Digestion
Unlike other ruminants, Caribou are able to eat lichen as well as grasses.

Temperature
Caribou are extremely efficient at preserving body heat and are uniquely adapted among other species to the polar climate.

Sight
Caribou are well adapted to the dark and the long winters of Auroria.

In mythology
Although Caribou are flightless, some Aurorian mythologies state the existence of the Peryton, a Caribou-like creature which possesses wings like the Pegasi.