What makes reindeer different from other deer?
Deer is adapted to moderate climates while reindeer are adapted to cold climates. They have wider hooves and dense fur than other deer. Both males and females of reindeer have antlers that are bigger than other deer. The main difference between deer and reindeer is the type of habitat they used to live.
What can reindeers have?
Reindeer eat mosses, herbs, ferns, grasses, and the shoots and leaves of shrubs and trees, especially willow and birch. In winter, they make do with lichen (also called reindeer moss) and fungi, scraping the snow away with their hooves to get it. An average adult reindeer eats 9 to 18 pounds of vegetation a day.
What kind of antlers does a female reindeer have?
Female reindeer have antlers. Antlers are branched bones that shed and grow back every year. These ornaments are exclusive to the deer family, which includes moose and elk. Deer exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning the males and females have separate and identifiable physical characteristics.
Why are there so many reindeer being killed?
Officials insist that these killings are being done to reduce animal overpopulation. They worry there are too many animals without enough access to food and that the density of the animals could potentially spread disease. Reindeer herders argue that energy interests are at the root of the killings.
Where are reindeer still found in the world?
In the 19th century, it was apparently still present in southern Idaho. It also occurred naturally on Sakhalin, Greenland, and probably even in historical times in Ireland. During the late Pleistocene era, reindeer were found further south, such as at Nevada, Great Britain, Tennessee, and Alabama in North America and Spain in Europe.
What kind of hoofs does a reindeer have?
Reindeer have deeply cloven hoofs so the feet can spread on snow or soft ground; they are also good swimmers. Colour varies from whitish in winter to brown in summer. Heavy guard hairs are hollow, which increases the coat’s insulating properties.