For residents of the Murmansk region in Russia reindeer are first of all transport, and sometimes food and clothes. The Tundra agricultural production cooperative is the one of the largest reindeer breeding enterprises in Russia. Since 1930 employees of the cooperative have been engaged in reindeer herding and supply their products to the indigenous peoples of the north.
Deer as a species live in a variety of places, even in Africa. Although, of course, reindeer are most often found in the tundra and taiga. Deer are very clever; learn more about these amazing animals in Sputnik’s photogallery.
There are more than fifty different species of deer in the world. More precisely, fifty-one species.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
The smallest deer are the so-called water deer, they weigh only 10-15 kg.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
And the largest are the red deer, their weight can exceed a mark of three centners.
Employees of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region drive in reindeer.
Employees of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region drive in reindeer.
The hooves of the reindeer are unique, because they are able to change according to the season. So, in the summer when the earth is soft, the sole of the hooves becomes spongy; while in the winter the pads on the hooves are tightened to expose the edge of the hoof which cuts into snow and ice, it helps to avoid slipping. Thus, reindeer can change "summer tires" to "winter."
Above: Reindeer herder drives near a reindeer herd of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer herder drives near a reindeer herd of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Deer shed their antlers every year, after which they grow a new set. The exception to this rule are the earlier-mentioned water deer, which have no antlers at all.
At the same time among reindeer both male and female has antlers. Male reindeer shed antlers in the first monts of winter, while female reindeer shed their antlers much later.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
At the same time among reindeer both male and female has antlers. Male reindeer shed antlers in the first monts of winter, while female reindeer shed their antlers much later.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
The antlers of young deer are covered with skin and hair, but as the antlers grow their skin wilts and peels off. That's why deer with growing antlers can so often be seen scratching near trees.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
The swing of the antlers of a giant deer - Irish elk (which went extinct about 7.5 thousand years ago) - reached 3.6 meters.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Reindeer are good at swimming. They can swim at a speed of 9 km/h.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Reindeer can migrate very long distances. Some specimens of this species cover about 35 kilometers per day, and over a year they travel distances of 3,100 kilometers.
Above: Reindeer herder drives in reindeer of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer herder drives in reindeer of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Deer are the only mammals able to distinguish between ultraviolet radiation.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Reindeer milk is very nutritious. It contains 22% milk fat and 10% protein. For comparison, cow's milk has only 3-4% milk fat.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: Reindeer in the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Deer can stand on their feet right after birth. Half an hour after birth, the calves of the reindeer are able to move by themselves, after several hours can traverse several kilometers.
Above: A reindeer herder of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
Above: A reindeer herder of the Tundra agricultural production cooperative in the Murmansk Region.
