Since the Christmas season is once again upon us, what better subject to cover then reindeer. Although they are called by different names in North America, wild caribou and domestic reindeer are considered to be a single species throughout the world, namely Rangifer tarandus. Their broad hoofs spread to aid walking on soft ground and their concave shape is ideal for digging in snow. Both sexes grow antlers, but for males they serve as sexual ornaments and weapons for fighting rivals during the breeding season.
Alaskan caribou are clove-brown with a white neck and rump.
Chukotkan reindeer, as a result of domestication, have varied pelt combinations of brown, grey, black and white in the same herd. Because some domesticated reindeer look very different than the wild caribou, some folks are mislead in thinking they are different species, but they are the same. The differences in appearance are the result of selective breeding. For the same reason, different breeds of dogs do not look the same. Reindeer are slightly smaller and were domesticated in northern Eurasia about 2000 years ago.