CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom-Animalia

Phylum-Chordata (backbone w/ spinal chord)

Class-Mammalia (milk producing)

Subclass-Ungulata (hooved)

Order-Artiodactyla (even-toed)

SubOrder-Ruminantia (true ruminant)

Family-Cervidae (deer)

Genus-Rangifer

Species-tarandus (w/ about five Holarctic subspecies)

Life expectancy is about 8 years.

Weight

Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Birth- Females- 6.64 Kg 14.61 lbs.

Males- 6.95 Kg 15.29 lbs (Chetkiewicz, 1993)

Calves- Female June Weight- 25.5 Kg 56.1 lbs.

Male June Weight- 27.5 Kg 60.5 lbs.

Female January Weight- 55.9 Kg 123.0 lbs.

Male January Weight- 60.2 Kg 132.4 lbs.

Adults- Female Average June Weight- 73.8 Kg 162.36 lbs.

Female Average January Weight- 85.4 Kg 187.88 lbs.

Male Average June Weight- 99.6 Kg 219.12 lbs.

Male Average January Weight- 92.3 Kg 203.06 lbs.

Note: these weights are the lower end of their annual weight cycle. By autumn cows will be well over
200 lbs. and bulls over 300 lbs.

Height

Captive Reindeer(Alaska)

Shoulder Height Calves- 28.5 in.

Yearlings- 37 in.

Adult Females- 38.5 in.

Adult Males- 43 in.

Length (Shoulder to Rump) Calves- 27.5 in.

Adult Females- 38 in.

Adult Males- 46 in.

Causes of Calf Mortality

Based on 89 calves observed April through November 1991 and 1992 on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
(Chetkiewicz, 1993)

Survived - 51.7%

Mortality due to Predators - 24.7%

Brown Bears- 11.2%

Foxes- 5.6%

Wolverines- 1.1%

Wolves- 1.1%

Uncertain- 5.6%

Mortality due to Disease- 4.5%

Mortality due to Drowning- 2.2%

Mortality due to Unknown Cause- 16.8%

Source:

http://reindeer.salrm.alaska.edu/

Reindeer hair is extremely dense.

Facial hair extends down to their lips protecting the muzzle when grazing in snow.

Reindeer and caribou are the only deer (Cervidae) where males, females, and calves produce antlers.

Reindeer shed their antlers annually.

New antler grow in the spring and summer.

The primary function of antler is for gaining social dominance.

Captive reindeer must be fed a balanced diet of commercial grains, forage and supplements.

Reindeer prefer snow over water in winter.

Reindeer milk is extremely high in protein and fat.

They are known to eat rodents, eggs, placenta and chew on antler to attain limited nutrients.

Reindeer Facts