Reindeer Facts
A Few Interesting And Fun Reindeer Facts
There are some reindeer facts that are just too cool for the North Pole, and this wonderful little creatures offer both grace and strength in one pretty little package. Everyone has antlers in this species, including the calves, and they shed them once per year to make way for larger, more impressive ones. As difficult as food can be to come by for the wild reindeer, he is rather finicky, almost to the point that one wonders how he survives out there on his own. As far as size is concerned, the reindeer weighs in at around the same size as the whitetail species does, with the females between 140 and 160 lbs, and the males slightly larger at 180 to 220 lbs. They stand between 3 ½ and 4 feet tall, but seem quite a bit more stocky and well built than the whitetail. Some of the following reindeer facts may help you to understand this a bit better.
Baby reindeer are born between May and June, and they grow very quickly in order to be strong enough to survive the harsh winter that is approaching. Reindeer facts about herd activity have uncovered groups of more than 6,000 deer in one area at the same time. We feel that they must be nearly extinct, perhaps just magical, mythical creatures that Santa can’t live without. But they survive in large numbers to our north, in places such as Alaska, Russia, and northern Asia. The famous deer park in Pennsylvania offers a first hand look into the lives and habits of an enormous captive herd.
The following reindeer facts have to do with their amazing adaptations to the tundra regions that they call home. The hooves are split, and though the reindeer is relatively the same size as the whitetail, his feet are nearly three times bigger. This gives them an almost snowshoe effect, allowing them to gain ultimate traction and stability when climbing hills and traveling through the woods in search of moss to eat. They are also great for digging, which is something that the reindeer must do throughout the winter in order to find food.
Reindeer facts regarding their woolen coats are perhaps the most interesting of all. They have two layers of hair, and the long winter coat is made of hollow strands. A reindeer is so well insulated that he can lay in the snow for hours without melting it. His body heat is locked in, while the elements, including rain and sun, are locked out. He stays dry and warm, and the winter coat sheds just in time for him not to overheat during the slightly warmer summer season.