Probably many of us would agree that this is the most beautiful animal that lives in the North.In the vast expanses of tundra, taiga in our country, as well as the north American lives this majestic handsome - reindeer.
Appearance
This large animal with a powerful body and a few feet too short.Despite this, it looks very graceful, especially when running.The special beauty of this magnificent animal to give the horns that have both sexes.
It is now gun deer - they help to repel wolves, and among themselves not averse to males compete.
Wool
Since this northern animals, the deer has a very warm coat.The color of her pale gray, almost white.Inside the hollow hair.It contains the air, allowing the animal swims well.Furthermore, such a wool cover protects against the cold.With the onset of cold weather in the undercoat appears gentle, soft down, and then the deer are not afraid of the most fierce cold.
molt once a year, but long enough.Old undercoat begins to fall in March, the new appears in May.Particularly intensive process takes place at the end of June and all of July.Until September may remain pieces of the old coat.
Dense and wide hooves allow deer to move even very deep snow.Hooves they rake it, getting their own food.Animal easily passes even swamps.
What feeds the reindeer?
On this issue, many will tell you that he eats reindeer moss.This is not entirely correct.The basis of its power of moss, which is mistakenly called reindeer moss.Perennial plant solid carpeted surface layer of soil in the tundra.Hart feels his scent under half a meter of snow.However, this lichen grows very slowly (about 5 mm per year), so the reindeer herds have to wander through the taiga in search of new pastures.
Yagel very nutritious, it contains a natural antibiotic.Continuing the conversation about what feeds the reindeer, we should note that the moss is not the only food these animals.In summer, reindeer happy to regale berries, herbs, mushrooms, leaves of shrubs and trees.Not many people know that the reindeer, photos that you see in this article, in some cases, can act as a predator, eating some small animals, such as lemmings.
reindeer usually graze in pastures, but they added to cereal flour, hay, silage.
Lifestyle reindeer
Singly, these animals can not exist.Reindeer in the tundra live in herds, which number from one to several dozen individuals.This way of life due to the fact that during the migration of animals in the herd more easily protect themselves from predators.Life reindeer associated with permanent migration.For example, in late autumn flocks that normally live in the tundra, go to the south, the taiga - in the winter in these areas easier to find food.These powerful animals in search of food can overcome a distance of over 1000 km.
enemies deer
At all times reindeer were tempting prey for various predators.The main danger for them are wolves and wolverines.The most favorable time for them - the period of migration of reindeer.During this period, the old and weak individuals behind the herd.That's on them and attack wolverine and wolves.
We can not say that people are also the enemies of wild deer.For human value are the meat, hides and horns of animals.Despite this, the population of many species of reindeer are well preserved.In those areas where the animal is protected, they are not afraid of man, often go on the roadside.
today in the north of Europe there are about 600 thousand deer, and in the polar regions of our country - about 800 thousand.Reindeer much more - about three million individuals.
Reproduction
autumn comes in flocks mating season, which is marked by frequent and violent battles males.Reindeer polygamy.In the "harem" is one male and 15 females.Duration of pregnancy - 246 days.Newborn calves are born in May and June.As a rule, one calf is born, it is much more rare - two.The average weight of 6.5 kg of young deer.Two weeks later, the baby begins to grow horns.Two and sometimes three years for the mother deer walks.
Already in the second year of life, he reaches puberty.The average life span of the animal - 20 years.
In December, after the rut, the males shed their antlers.Females do not leave with them.
Types reindeer
are two types of these animals.The first category - the North American.It consists of several sub-species.Alaska, Greenland, Canada - a territory inhabited by reindeer of the species.All over the world they are called caribou.
second category consists of the subspecies living in Eurasia - forest, Finnish, Arctic reindeer, Novaya Zemlya.
reindeer
This category of animal deserves a separate discussion.This group includes three distinct species - Even, Nenets, Evenk.
Nenets breed - the result of years of breeding work.Perhaps you are interested in, is home to reindeer this breed?Pets are widespread in the Urals.The breed is distinguished short stature, but in animals incredible endurance.Color often brown.These deer are used in sled.Males weigh on average 140 kg and females - 100 kg.
Evenk reindeer on the tundra is often used for the transportation of goods.Often, it is the transport animals.
Evenk reindeer - low, therefore less hardy.Typically, they are bred to produce milk and meat.
How are the reindeer
More recently, the life of many people depended on this animal, like a reindeer.In the tundra of human existence would be impossible without a helper.Wild animals hunted people of the North, getting so the meat.But more often bred reindeer.For the northern peoples is a universal animal.In the food used his meat, internal organs.The female reindeer give nutritious milk.Plague and yaranga cover skins of these animals.Leather shoes and sew the top winter clothing.
From deer skins, which are called fawn, sew suits and suits for young northerners and hats for adults.
From small pieces of wool produced souvenirs, jewelry.
But undoubtedly, deer antlers (also called Pant) are the most valuable material.Of them produce various household items.But their main value lies in the healing properties.Doctors East for more than 3,000 years of antlers extract used to treat humans.
Not long ago, modern scientists interested in the question why only able to throw the deer antlers, and in their place are new.After research, they concluded - in antlers found a gene responsible for the regeneration of bone cells.Therefore extract from them or powder steel used for the treatment of serious diseases of bones and joints.Furthermore, preparations based antlers - a powerful immunostimulatory agent.They are appointed with high physical and mental stress.
In ancient times as a horse-drawn vehicle used reindeer.In the tundra, harnessed to a sled, it is easy to transport a host to the desired location on the road.Today, with the advancement of technology, the need has disappeared.But now the reindeer, which are often decorated with photos handouts northern regions, participates in festivals, riding tourists.
In the northern parts of our country, in difficult climatic conditions, the people managed to create an unusual animal husbandry.Caring about people reindeer reduced to protect them from wild animals in the winter, and insects in the summer.It should be noted that activities aimed at this, are not always effective.
Despite all the benefits of civilization, and today the chief assistant of some people - reindeer.The tundra is difficult to live without this beautiful and powerful animals.
