Want to find out how? Then check out this article we wrote all about it — 6 ways reindeer are adapted for extreme cold. Females retain their antlers until spring, because access to food is critical during their winter pregnancy. Advertisement Hide. Authors Authors and affiliations Gerald A. Lincoln Nicholas J. Conference paper. Key Words Antler growth secondary sexual characteristics ovary reindeer testis testosterone. This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access. Chapman DI Antlers—bones of contention.
John Murray, London, pp Google Scholar. Espmark Y Antler shedding in relation to parturition in female reindeer. Goss RJ Deer Antlers. Regeneration, Function and Evolution. Most Christmas decorations depict reindeer in a similar vein, but these portrayals are closer to an amalgamation of other deer species than they are to an actual reindeer. Reindeer come in 14 subspecies — two of which are extinct — and they look nothing like their cartoon counterparts. While their colors and size vary, reindeer are invariably stocky, with thick necks, big hooves and square noses.
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.
Some deer species have no antlers at all. Reindeer live primarily in the Arctic, where winter is drastically colder and darker than the summer.
Reindeer hooves are soft during warmer months, but in the winter, their hooves become hard and sharp for breaking through the ice to forage vegetation. As a result of seasonal changes in light levels, reindeer eyes adapt. Their tapetum — the part of the eye behind the iris — changes color from gold in the summer to blue in the winter. Reindeer also shed their fluffy winter coats in the summer. Males and females both shed their antlers and grow them back each year, but in different seasons.
Diabetes researcher Andy Karter lived in Norway herding reindeer for a decade. These animals are part of the deer family, or Cervidae, which includes deer, elk, moose and wapiti.
Like others in their family, reindeers have long legs, hooves and antlers. Reindeer are also called caribou, depending on their location. They are called reindeer in Europe, but in North America, reindeer refers to Eurasian populations, and caribou refers to wild populations in North America, according to the San Diego Zoo.
Reindeer also often refers to domesticated animals, while caribou refers to wild populations. Some scientists think that the reindeer was one of the first domesticated animals. It was first domesticated around 2, years ago, according to the Smithsonian. Many Arctic societies still rely on this animal for food, clothing and materials for shelter. Male reindeer grow to 28 to 53 inches 70 to centimeters tall from hooves to shoulder, and around 5.
Females are typically smaller, around 5. Males weigh to lbs.
0コメント