Oxygen Consumption for Locomotion by Caribou Calves
Luick BR and White RG. 1986. Oxygen Consumption for Locomotion by Caribou Calves. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 50(1):148-152
Oxygen consumption (VO2, ml/g·hour) by caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) calves trained to walk on a treadmill was measured using a headstall. Both the standing-resting VO2 and the oxygen cost of locomotion (ml O2/g·km) decreased with increasing body weight. Net VO2 (walking VO2 minus VO2 standing at rest) increased linearly with walking velocity, but an upward deflection was noted at velocities >3-5 km/hour in the younger animals. In all caribou the stride frequency increased linearly with walking velocity between 2 and 7 km/hour. Evidence is presented that the oxygen cost of locomotion is different between Rangifer subspecies and an effect of leg length is implicated.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Luick, Bret; White, Robert
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Arctic, Rangifer tarandus granti