Reindeer in the tundra: species, description

Probably, many will agree with us that this is the most beautiful animal living in the North. In the vast expanses of the tundra, taiga in our country, and also in the north of America, this stately handsome reindeer lives.

Appearance

This is a large animal with a powerful trunk and a few short legs. Despite this, it looks very graceful, especially during the run. Special beauty to this animal is attached to luxurious horns, which have individuals of both sexes.

This is a real weapon of deer - they help to fight back the wolf, and the males do not mind comparing themselves.

Wool

As this is a northern animal, the deer has very warm wool. Its color is pale gray, almost white. Inside the hair is hollow. It contains air, so that the animal swims well. In addition, such a wool cover reliably protects against cold. With the onset of frost in the undercoat, soft, soft fluff appears, and then the fierce cold is not afraid of the deer.

It fades once a year, but rather long. The old undercoat starts to fall in March, a new one appears in May. Particularly intensive the process takes place at the very end of June and the whole of July. Until September, there may be pieces of old woolly cover.

Dense and wide hooves allow the deer to move even in very deep snow. With hoofs, they rake it, gaining food for themselves. The animal easily passes even over a marshy marsh.

What does the reindeer feed on?

Many will answer this question, that he uses deer moss for food. This is not entirely correct. The basis of his nutrition is the yagel, which is mistakenly called reindeer moss. A perennial plant covers the surface layer of the earth in the tundra with a continuous carpet. The deer can smell it under a half-meter layer of snow. However, this lichen grows very slowly (about 5 mm per year), so reindeer herds have to roam the taiga in search of new pastures.

Jagel is very nutritious, it contains a natural antibiotic. Continuing the conversation about what the reindeer feeds on, we should note that the yagel is not the only food of these animals. In the summer, the deer gladly take pleasure in berries, grass, mushrooms, leaves of bushes and trees. Not many people know that the reindeer whose photo you see in our article, in some cases can act as a predator, eating some small animals, for example, lemmings.

Domestic deer usually graze on pastures, but they are added grain flour, hay, silage.

The way of life of reindeer

These animals can not exist on their own. The reindeer in the tundra live in herds, which number from one to several dozen individuals. This way of life is due to the fact that during migration to animals in the herd it is easier to protect themselves from predators. The life of reindeer is associated with permanent migrations. For example, in the late autumn of the herd, which usually live in the tundra, go south, into the taiga - in winter it is easier to find food in these areas. These powerful animals in search of food can overcome a distance of more than 1000 km.

Enemies of deer

At all times, reindeer were a delicious prey for various predators. The main danger for them are wolves and wolverines. The most favorable time for them is the migration period of deer. During this period, old and weak individuals lag behind the herd. It is on them that wolverines and wolves attack.

One can not help saying that people are also enemies of wild deer. For man, the value is represented by meat, hides and horns of these animals. Despite this, populations of many species of deer are well preserved. In those areas where animals are protected, they are not afraid of man, often go to the side of roads.

Today in the north of Europe there are about 600 thousand deer, and in the polar regions of our country - about 800 thousand. Home reindeer is much larger - about three million individuals.

Reproduction

Autumn in the herds comes the marriage period, which is marked by frequent and severe battles of males. The northern deer is polygamous. In the "harem" of one male there are up to 15 females. The duration of pregnancy is 246 days. Newborn deer are born in May-June. As a rule, one cub is born, much less often - two. The average weight of the deer is 6.5 kg. In two weeks, the baby begins to grow horns. Two, and sometimes three years, the deer go after the mother.

Already in the second year of life he reaches puberty. The average life span of an animal is 20 years.

In December, after the rut, the males drop their horns. Females do not part with them.

Types of reindeer

There are two species of these animals. The first category is North American. It consists of several subspecies. Alaska, Greenland, Canada - this is the territory where the reindeer of this species lives. In the whole world they are called caribou.

The second category is the subspecies that live in Eurasia - forest, Finnish, Arctic northern deer, but the land of New Zealand.

Domestic deer

This category of animals deserves a separate conversation. This group includes three independent breeds - Even, Nenets, Evenk.

Nenets breed is the result of many years of breeding work. Probably, you are interested in where the reindeer of this breed lives? Animals are widely distributed beyond the Urals. The breed is distinguished by low growth, but at the same time the animals have incredible endurance. Color is often brown. These deer are used in harness. The average weight of males is 140 kg, females - 100 kg.

The Evenk reindeer in the tundra is often used for the transport of goods. Often it is a transport animal.

Even deer are low, therefore, less hardy. They are usually bred for milk and meat.

How Deer Are Used

Until quite recently the life of many peoples depended on such an animal as a reindeer. In the tundra, the existence of man would be impossible without such an assistant. On the wild animals the peoples of the North were hunted, thus obtaining meat. But more often bred domestic deer. For northern peoples this animal is universal. Meat, internal organs are used for food. The females of domestic deer give nourishing milk. Plague and yaranga are covered with skins of these animals. From the skin sew shoes and top winter clothes.

From a skin of a deer, which are called bunnies, they sew overalls and suits for small northerners, as well as hats for adults.

Of small pieces of wool, souvenirs and jewelry are made.

But undoubtedly, the horns of a deer (they are also called pantami) are the most valuable material. Of these, various objects of everyday life are made. But their main value lies in the healing properties. Physicians of the East have been using hoods for treatment of people for more than 3000 years.

Not so long ago, modern scientists were interested in the question of why only deer can drop their horns, and new ones appear in their place. After the studies, they concluded - in the panty contains a gene responsible for the regeneration of bone cells. Therefore, an extract from them or powder was used to treat severe diseases of bones and joints. In addition, drugs based on antlers - a powerful immunostimulant. They are appointed at high physical and mental loads.

In ancient times a reindeer was used as a horse transport. In the tundra, harnessed to a sleigh, he easily transported the owner to the right place off-road. Today, with the development of technology, this need has disappeared. But even now the reindeer, whose photo often decorates advertising brochures of the northern regions, participates in holidays, rolls tourists.

In northern regions of our country, in difficult climatic conditions, people managed to create unusual livestock. The people's concern for deer is to protect them from wild animals in the winter, and from insects in the summer. I must say that the activities aimed at this are not always effective.

Despite all the benefits of civilization, even today the chief assistant of some peoples is the reindeer. In the tundra it is difficult to live without this beautiful and strong animal.