Energy Expenditures by Caribou while Cratering in Snow
Fancy SG and White RG. 1985. Energy Expenditures by Caribou while Cratering in Snow. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 49(4):987-993
The rate of energy expenditure by caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) digging in snow for lichens was determined by heart rate telemetry and an analysis of cratering mechanisms. Based on a significant linear relationship between energy expenditure and heart rate, the mean cost per digging stroke in light, uncrusted snow was 118 J, whereas in denser (0.36 g/cm3) snow with a thin, hard crust the mean cost was 219J/stroke. The cost of cratering through snow compacted by a snowmobile was 481 J/stroke. A comparison of metabolic and mechanical energy required for cratering suggested that caribou have evolved an energetically-efficient mechanism for obtaining food from beneath the snow layer.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Fancy, Steve; White, Robert
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Arctic, Mammals, Rangifer tarandus granti, Ungulates