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AN reindeer is a type of deer with huge horns found in Asia, Europe, and North America. AN deer is a ungulate, grazing or grazing animal with branched, bony antlers, normally carried by males. Mammals with hooves, such as deer or reindeer, are all part of the “Cervidae” family.
While both deer and reindeer are accustomed to winter conditions, there is a fundamental difference between the two: The deer prefer mild climates. As an aside, it’s common to only find antlers on male deer. However, there is one exception to this rule: male and female reindeer both have antlers!
Reindeer vs Deer Comparison
| Reindeer | deer | |
| Kind | 2nd largest species of deer; 10 subspecies | About 43 species in total |
| Venue | Circumpolar Europe, North America and Asia | Everywhere except Australia and Antarctica |
| Habitat | Colder climates such as the tundra and boreal forests | Mostly temperate climates such as meadows and forests |
| To build | Has long stubby legs and split, broad hooves. Ranges from 180-400 pounds | Legs are long and narrow, with pointed hooves. Varieties range from 20 to 1000 pounds |
| Coat | dense fur. Coat color varies by habitat | Has a softer coat. The coat color differs per species |
| antlers | Male and female reindeer have antlers. Big antlers for his body size | Only male deer have antlers. The antlers are long, forked, pointed |
| eating pattern | Eat tree leaves, twigs, eggs, fish, lichen, moss and berries | Twigs, berries, grass, leaves |
| Hunt | People and bears hunt reindeer | Humans, wolves, vultures and pumas all hunt deer |
The main differences between reindeer and deer
The main differences between deer and reindeer can be seen in their diet, conformation and habitats. Reindeer have a build suitable for living in the Arctic, where they feed on foods such as lichens and mosses during harsh winters. Deer have smaller legs and hooves suitable for less frigid environments and survive on diets heavier in berries, grass and forbs.
In the comparison table above you can clearly see that: reindeer and deer species have many different characteristics. Temperatures in the United States range from moderate to frigid, and reindeer are more suited to colder areas. Reindeer are the fifthlargest deer species behind moose, elk, sambar and red deer.
Reindeer have larger hooves and thicker fur than other deer, making them more noticeable. Reindeer have larger antlers than other deer, and this is true of both sexes. However, one of the biggest differences between the two types of deer is their environment.
For a deeper comparison, here’s an overview of the 8 main differences between reindeer and reindeer deer:
Kind
Both deer and reindeer belong to the family Cervidae. Reindeer is the fifth largest deer species. There are about forty-three species of deer. There are several subspecies for each species of deer. Reindeer are just one of these forty-three species, with 8 subspecies of their own!
There are eight subspecies of reindeer, including:
- Santa Claus (Rt saintnicolas magicus)
- barren ground (Rangifer tarandus granti)
- Spitsbergen (Rt platyrhynchus)
- European (Rt tarandus)
- Finnish forest (Rt fennicus)
- Greenland (Rt Groenlandicus)
- bunch (Rt caribou)
- Peary’s (Rt peeryi)
Each reindeer subspecies has its own habitat. Alaska has caribou on barren soil and a small, wooded herd.
Venue
deer can be found all over the world and in almost every US state. They can be seen in large numbers in western states. Wild reindeer, also called caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are found in the Arctic tundra, Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, Canada.
Habitat
Although deer are often associated with forests, many of them are ecotonic species that survive in transitional habitats between forests and shrublands. Among their many habitats are swamps, coniferous and mixed forests, grasslands and mountains, as well as rainforests and desert scrub. It is common for deer to enter metropolitan areas when human civilizations get too close to home.
There are two types of habitats in which: reindeer can be found in the polar regions of the world. Some live in wide, open tundra, others on the fringes and in the forests of the landscape.
To build
Deer can range in weight from 20 pounds to over 1,000 pounds. Reindeer are medium to large deer that can weigh between 180 and 401 pounds. Because of their small legs and pointed hooves, deer are not well suited to live in extremely cold climates. Reindeer thrive in colder climates because of their large, split hooves that allow them to glide over ice and snow with ease and agility.
Coat
Reindeer fur varies in color based on the season, habitat and location. Northern reindeer have lighter fur than southern reindeer. deer have a finer coat that maintains the same color in any environment, but seems to change with the seasons.
For example, deer have a reddish spring color and a brown color in the fall. The deer coat is built for both warmth and camouflage. These thin red coats help deer cope with the heat. As the winter coat grows, the reddish color fades to gray or brown and the coat th
ic
kens.
antlers
While only male deer have antlers, reindeer have both sexes. reindeer antlers are huge in proportion to their body size, with the top and bottom tips (of the antlers) separated into two distinct groups. Deer antlers are long, forked and pointed and are used in ritual competitions and to attract the attention of women.
eating pattern
Reindeer eat a variety of plants, including lichen, moss, willow and birch leaves, and mushrooms. Due to food shortages, reindeer are also known to consume small rodents, eggs and fish. Food items favored by deer include twigs, grass, leaves and fruit.
Hunt
Wild deer cannot be domesticated. They are often hunted for their meat and antlers, which are prized by trophy collectors. Reindeer can be domesticated to pull sleds and transport people. They are also grown to provide the farmers with milk, fur and meat. Most reindeer hunting takes place in Russia, but there are places to hunt reindeer in other European countries and even in Greenland.
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