Reindeer belong to the family of deer (Cervidae) and are basically found inhabiting bleak arctic plain, or tundra, and the surrounding forest and mountain areas. The animal usually has brown rough fur, with an ivory colored neck and mane. It survives on a diet of mainly lichens, mosses and grasses and has an average lifespan of twelve to fifteen years. Today, most of the reindeer present in the world are domesticated and hardly a few are actually wild. In the following lines, we have provided complete information on reindeer.
Facts about Reindeer
- Bionomial Name: Rangifer tarandus
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Cervidae
- Genus: Rangifer
- Number of Species:
- Height (shoulder): 3-4 ft
- Length: 48-86 inches
- Weight: 200-600 lbs
- Color: Brown
- Age: 12-15 years
- Natural Habitat: Frozen arctic tundra region
- Diet: Lichens, mosses, grasses
- Reproductive Age: 29-41 months
- Number of Offspring: Usually One
- Gestation Period: About 8 months
Interesting and Amazing Information on Reindeer
- Reindeer are excellent swimmers and can easily swim across wide rivers.
- Reindeer live together in large groups, known as herds, the smallest of which contains usually 20 members. On the other extreme, large herbs of reindeer might comprise of thousand members also.
- A single reindeer male, known as bull, wins control over a harem of 5 to 15 females, known as cows, in the mating season.
- The calf of a reindeer weighs 11 - 20 pounds and can stand on its legs, minutes after being born.
- Reindeer is the only deer that can be domesticated. It provides butter, meat, cheese, clothing and transportation to humans.
- Male reindeer shed their antlers at the end of winter season, after the rut, and grow them again around January-February.
- Female reindeer and calves shed their antlers around March-April and start growing new ones immediately after shedding the old ones.
- Reindeer can lower the temperature in their legs to just above freezing in extremely cold weather. This way they avoid loss of body heat.
- Reindeer are the only deer species, apart from caribou, in which males, females and even calves produce antlers.
- Reindeer milk is very high in protein and fats.
