~Reindeer~
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Cervidae
Subfamily:Capreolinae
Genus:Rangifer
Species:R. tarandus
Note:The above portion is the courtesy of wikipedia.com.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The reindeer is about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall at the shoulder and is about 6 feet (1.8 m) long.The antlers are shed each year and regrow.Unlike most other types of deer, both bulls (males) and cows (females) have antlers.Baby calves have two little lumps for antlers. As they grow their little lumps turn into antlers.The thick fur traps air, which insulates the reindeer from the cold and helps the reindeer float in water. The reindeer weighs from 200-600 Ibs.
HABITAT:
The reindeer inhabits the bleak arctic plain or tundra, and the surrounding forest and mountain areas.Reindeer live in Northern Asia, Europe, Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. The Reindeer's thick coat is water-proof. Reindeer live in cold places because in hot places they will lose their coats.
DIET:
The reindeer are herbivours and eat a wide variety of plants.In the spring, the reindeer will graze the newly sprouted shoots of grass and shrubs..During the harsh winter months, the reindeer has a difficult time finding enough to eat. It will dig holes in the snow several feet deep to get to the lichens and moss underneath.Reindeer eat 12 pounds a day.Reindeer moss(a lichen) is used as as a food by reindeers.
HUNTERS:
Wolves, wolverines, coyote and bears are the hunters of reindeers.
GESTATION PERIOD:
Reindeers have gestation period of 8 months and gave birth usually to 1 young.
REPRODUCTION:
The reindeer mates sometime between August and November, depending on location.The male becomes very aggressive, fighting with other males as he competes to win control of a harem of 5 to 15 females. As the time approaches to give birth, the female leaves the herd and chooses a secluded spot. She usually returns to the same spot each year to calve, or bear young.Reindeer have babies in spring because it is warm. It weighs 11 - 20 pounds and can stand within minutes after being born.The calf's antlers begin to grow when the animal is a year old.The sexual maturity starts from 29-41 months.
LIFESPAN:
The life span of reindeer is 12-15 years.
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