Reindeer, in North America - caribou ( Rangifer tarandus) - an even-toed mammal of the deer family

Reindeer [1], in North America - caribou [1] [2] [3] (lat. Rangifer tarandus) is an artiodactyl mammal of the deer family, the only representative of the genus Reindeer (Rangifer) [4].

In the genus Rangifer, unlike other deer, the anterior surface of the upper lip is entirely covered with hair. The supraorbital process of the horns is widened at the end, with several finger-like secondary outgrowths. The vomer is fused with the palatine bones, divides the choanae into left and right halves [5]. It differs from other deer in that both males and females have antlers; nutrition, in which a significant proportion is occupied by lichens; many features of behavior, the most noticeable of which is the formation of large herds. It lives in the tundra and taiga of Eurasia and North America, on a number of islands in the Arctic Ocean. It exists both in the wild and in the domestic state.

The reindeer in the distant past made it possible for humans to explore the North, and currently remains the most important biological resource for more than twenty peoples of Eurasia and North America[6]. The object of hunting (for the purpose of obtaining meat and skins). As a result of the taming and domestication of the reindeer, reindeer breeding arose, that is, the breeding of reindeer for meat, skins, milk and use as riding and pack transport[7].

There are forest and tundra caribou: forest - larger, common in the taiga; tundra - smaller, live in the open tundra, only for the winter they enter the taiga [8].

The name Rangifer tarandus was given by Carl Linnaeus in The System of Nature (1758)[9]. For the generic name, C. Linnaeus took the name Rangifer, which was previously used by Albert the Great in his work “On Animals”[10]. As the name of the species, K. Linnaeus chose the word tarandus, making a reference to the work of Ulisse Aldrovandi “Quadrupedum omnium bisulcorum historia ...” - descriptions of artiodactyls [11] [Comm. one].

Reindeer [Comm. 2] - the name of the book, the popular name in those places where elk, deer or red deer are found - just a deer. Where reindeer breeding is developed, domestic reindeer is usually called deer, and wild reindeer is called savage [15] [Comm. 3].

The name caribou (caribou) came into English in the 18th century from Canadian French; the origin of the word, presumably, from the dialect of North American Indians[16]. The world's caribou and reindeer are classified as one species, Rangifer tarandus. Reindeer is the European name for this species, while in North America the species is known as caribou[3][Comm. 4].

Appearance and dimensions
Deer of medium size. The body is elongated, the neck is rather long, due to the strong overgrowth it seems thick and massive, the legs are relatively short. The animal usually holds its head and neck low, as if hunched over. In general, the deer looks squat and is much less slender and beautiful than other deer. He does not have such grace of movement.

The head of the reindeer, although proportional, is somewhat elongated. Relatively low in the brain region, it only slightly narrows towards the end. The end of the muzzle is completely covered with hair (the nasal mirror is absent), rather thick, but not swollen, the upper lip is not swollen and does not hang over the lower one. There are no skin outgrowths (“earrings”) under the chin. The ears are relatively short, more or less rounded. The eyes are small. The withers of the reindeer are slightly raised, but do not form a “hump” even at the level of the croup, the back is straight, the back is straight or slightly sloping.

Tail 11-21 cm long, ears 13-18 cm. 5] are somewhat smaller than males. The body length of individuals in different Rangifer populations is on average: males 184–210 (up to 226) cm, females 166–199 cm; height at the withers 114-141 cm and 102-119 cm, body weight 74-194 kg and 71-123 kg


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