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On Dasher, On Dancer. . . Reindeer
Facts
by W.Holidays
Caribou and reindeer are members of
the same species but they are not the same
animal. Reindeer are smaller, about 3-1/2 feet tall. They have white tails and
necks with brown and white coats. Reindeer have extra wide, splayed hooves which
enable them to spread weight on soft snow preventing them from sinking. In the
summer, reindeer have dark, short coats; in the winter, they have thick, light
coats. They grow new antlers every year, regardless of age or sex. They eat
mushrooms, lichen, and Arctic vegetation. Tribes in Arctic Scandinavia and Russia
have domesticated reindeer. Reindeer are used for their milk and meat, and their
skins are used for clothing and shelter.
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