What is, and what is NOT, a reindeer? |
Reindeer, also called caribou, can run really fast, reaching 50 mph. This is faster than any human could ever go! Reindeer are big animals, as they are 5'2'' to 7' tall. The most impressive thing about them is their antlers, as they can be a 53'' long and 39'' wide. Both male and female reindeer have antlers. Normal reindeer have very interesting hooves that change according to the season. In the winter, the pads of their paws are smaller, leaving more room for the hoof to cut through the snow. This allows them to run without slipping and to dig for roots. Reindeer are herbivorous animals that mostly feed on moss, grasses and some leaves, although they may get fish and rodents every now and then. In the summer, their hooves are softer so that they can walk better on the exposed ground. |
Elk, called wapiti in Europe, are one of the largest deer species. Their shoulders rise about 5 ft from the ground, and the male's antlers can reach up to 4 feet above the head, which gives them a total of 9 feet in height. A basketball hoop is 10 ft. Elk can range from 500 to 1,300 pounds males are larger than females. Their necks are shaggy, which makes them easy to identify from other deer species. Another key difference between elk and deer, moose and reindeer is that male elk have a loud, high-pitched bugle which they sound during the morning and evening. On the other hand, deer only make occasional bleats. |
White-tail Deer are smaller, maturing at anywhere between 100 and 300 lb . They can move at speeds of up to 30 mph, and they are able to clear 10-foot fences! White-tailed deer are not carnivores. These gentle herbivorous animals consume leaves, fruits, twigs, grass and acorns; they also have a diet of corn, lichens and alfalfa. The white-tailed deer can be found all over the United States and Canada, as well as Mexico and in northern South American nations. Residing mostly in meadows, fields and coniferous forests, they do not range to the far north. |
Moose are called elk in Europe, which makes them easy to confuse with elk or wapitis. However, their flat, wide antlers and bulky face differentiates them from the other types of deer. Moose are the largest deer species in the world. If you see a deer that's more than 6 ft 9 in. at the withers, it is definitely a moose. The male's antlers are 4 ft 9 in. wide. Like elk, moose are browsers and not grazers, which differentiates them from deer. While reindeer, white-tail and elk live in herds, moose are solitary animals. |
Center for Cultural Diversity. The Secret Life of Reindeer ************************ |