During the summer:
* Lichens: A major food source, especially during the summer when they are readily available and nutritious.
* Grasses and sedges: Found in meadows and along waterways.
* Herbs and wildflowers: Offer variety and valuable nutrients.
* Leaves and twigs of deciduous trees: Caribou will browse on willow, birch, and aspen leaves and twigs.
* Aquatic plants: Caribou enjoy aquatic plants like water lilies and pondweed.
During the winter:
* Lichens: Especially important during the winter when other food sources are scarce. Caribou dig through snow to find them.
* Mosses: Offer additional sustenance, especially in areas with abundant lichen growth.
* Shrubs: Caribou will browse on the buds, twigs, and bark of shrubs like willow and birch.
* Conifer needles: Some caribou will eat conifer needles, but this is less common than other food sources.
Important Note: The specific plants caribou eat in the Taiga can vary depending on the specific location and the caribou's migratory patterns.
Let me know if you'd like more details on any specific plant species or would like to learn about caribou migration patterns.