Estimating Fat Content of Caribou from Body Condition Scores
Gerhart KL, White RG, Cameron RD, Russell DE. 1996. Estimating Fat Content of Caribou from Body Condition Scores. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 60(4):713-718
Body condition scores provide a subjective measure of body fatness. We scored the condition of 64 barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) and 10 reindeer (R. t. tarandus) that were later killed and analyzed for chemical composition. A body reserve index (product of body condition score and body mass) was superior to either body mass or body condition score as a predictor of fatness for older calves and adults. The probability of pregnancy for adult female caribou was significantly related to both body condition score (n = 107, P = 0.017) and body reserve index (n = 103, P < 0.001).
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Gerhart, K; White, R; Cameron, R; Russell, D
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Arctic, beef-cows, body condition score, Body mass, body reserves, body weight, Caribou, fat, female caribou, holstein dairy-cows, Island, luteinizing-hormone, Nutrition, Pregnancy, Rangifer, rangifer-tarandus-groenlandicus, Reindeer, Reproduction, Secretion