Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is in the Deer family (Cervidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,829 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): VU.
When to photograph Caribou: observations by month (U.S.)
About Caribou
The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as caribou in North America, is a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to arctic, subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. This includes both sedentary and migratory populations. Rangifer herd size varies greatly in different geographic regions. The Taimyr herd of migrating tundra reindeer (R.t. sibiricus) in Russia is the largest wild reindeer herd in the world, with numbers varying between 400,000...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Caribou by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 1,829 | June | May–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Deer)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Caribou?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to August.
Where is Caribou most often seen?
The most observations come from Alaska.