Reindeer

Reindeer are the domesticated or semi-domesticated form of caribou and are native to Arctic and subarctic regions of Eurasia and North America. Mature males generally weigh about 250–400 pounds, while females often weigh about 150–260 pounds. Both males and females commonly grow antlers, which is unusual among deer species. Reindeer have dense coats that vary from brown and gray to cream or white, with large hooves adapted for snow, tundra, and soft ground. They are herd animals adapted to cold climates and seasonal migration. Wild caribou are native to Alaska and northern North America, while Eurasian reindeer were introduced into Alaska in the 1890s to support herding programs. In the lower United States, reindeer are generally kept in zoos, educational farms, Christmas displays, and specialized facilities rather than exotic ranch herds.