Reindeer
(Rangifer tarandus)
BY:Tamaki
Appearance: The Reindeer's shoulders are
four to five feet long. They are brown in the summer and white
and grey in the winter. They weigh two hunderd to seven hundered
pounds. Reindeer are six feet wide. Both male and female have
antlers. Baby calves have two little lumps for antlers. As they
grow their little lumps turn into antlers. Once a year Reindeer
shed their antlers, because it helps Reindeer camouflage in the
winter.
Habitat: Reindeer live in Northern Asia, Europe, Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. In Alaska and Canada, Reindeer live in forests and tundra. A tundra is land with small trees and plants. Reindeer live in the tundra in the summer and migrate in the fall. They move south in the fall. The Reindeer's thick coat is water-proof. Reindeer live in cold places because in hot places they will lose their coats.
Food: They eat grass, tunder, lichens and plants. Reindeer eat 12 pounds a day! If the plants are coverd with snow they will shovel or dig with their hoofs. Lichen is made out of algae and fungus. It is a healthy food for Reindeer.
Enemies: Reindeer's enemies are wolves, wolverines, coyote and bears prey on new born because they are slow runners.
Life Cycle: Reindeer live 15 years in wildlife unless they get rundown. In Finland more than 4,000 reindeer are runover by cars. Reindeer have 1 child a year. It takes 240 days to develop a baby. Reindeer have babies in spring because it is warm.
Other Facts: Reindeer are good and strong swimmers. Lap landers keep the Reindeer for pets. They use Reindeer for milk, clothing and meat. In 1 herd there are thousands of Reindeer. Top speed is 40 miles.