Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus)

Rangifer Tarandus...or reindeer!

 People think that reindeer are only for pulling Santa's sleigh on Christmas, right? Wrong! Reindeers do give transportation, but not necessarily to just Santa. Eskimoes also use reindeer for transportation. They use reindeer milk to give to their young. Here are some little known facts about reindeer:

Reindeer may be big, but they only eat lichen, willow leaves,  birch leaves, sedges, and grass. Females usually measure 64-61 inches in length. They usually weigh about 170-260 lb. Males usually measure 71-84 inches in length and can weigh 200-460 lb. While  both genders of reindeer can have antlers, some female populations lack them completely.

Large numbers of reindeer have been found in Norway, Finland, Sweden, Siberia, Greenland, Alaska, and Canada. In North America, reindeer are known as caribou and are hunted as trophies and for meat. In Europe, reindeer are herded by the Sami as a livlihood. Reindeer were very important to the Sami. Their skin was used to make clothing, and their horns to make burl cups, knives, and drums.

Reindeer mating season usually begins in late September and lasts until early November. The female usually stays pregnant until May or June. Then she gives birth to calves, who in 45 days will be able to graze and forage. The calves will keep sucking their mothers milk until the next November.

Reindeer lend themselves to alot of important people. Santa for his sleigh, the Sami for drums and clothing, the Eskimoes for milk, and last but not least, to North America for trophy hunting.