All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. In Finland and Scandinavia this is the basis of a million-dollar export industry. As they have been domesticated, these large animals can make good pets for the right individual. These interesting organisms are normally incredibly difficult for animals to digest. Because reindeer love lichen so much it is sometimes called “reindeer lichen.” In the winter reindeer will look for food under the snow. Reindeer lichens grow slowly, and mature clumps are often about 100 years old. The only forests found in these areas are boreal forests, also known as “taiga,” or “snow” forests. Found primarily in areas of alpine tundra, it is extremely cold-hardy. These lichens generally produce a new branch each year, so that age of a clump can be estimated by counting back through the major branchings along a stem. In some cases the rumen was mixed with blood and fat, plus meat scraps or liver, to make a pudding, highly esteemed by native people, but usually it was eaten fresh, warm and uncooked. Seedlings that germinate on the lichen mat soon wither and die when the surface dries. Tree reindeer lichen (C. arbuscula) is a similar, closely related species. While these animals are found across the globe in polar regions, they are found in generally one of two types of habitats. Despite their inability to fly, reindeer are actually quite intriguing creatures. They must be kept in herds because they are social creatures, and they require lots of land for grazing opportunities. The main change in their distribution has been loss of animals in the southernmost expanses of their previous range. While their magic-enabled counterparts may soar through the sky to aid Saint Nick, the rest of the caribou are very much ground dwellers. Reindeer, also known as “caribou,” are large mammals native to the northern polar regions of the world. Reindeer (caribou) fur ranges widely in color, based on the subspecies in question. While their numbers are still high, many sub-populations have dwindled and even become extinct. Some inhabit vast, open tundra, while others live along the edges and amongst forests. The only forests found in these areas are boreal forests, also known as “taiga,” or “snow” forests. Forms extensive carpets over ground in open coniferous forest (commonly on sandy soils) and in open sites, from lowland bogs on Sphagnum to arctic tundra; common and widespread across Northwestern Ontario's boreal forest; circumpolar. They also frequently sport large antlers, and, generally speaking, larger and older deer have larger and heavier antlers. People who are sensitive to this and other lichen substances develop lichen dermatitis, an unpleasant disease with itchy reddened skin, sometimes accompanied by pimples or scaliness. In human care they are fed hay, specially formulated biscuits, and acacia browse. Domesticated reindeer have also been introduce to Alaska, and are used as a means of livelihood for the indigenous tribes. Those that do manage tor each mineral soil often become enmeshed in lichen branches and are pulled out of the soil or snapped off by the repeated expansion and contraction of the lichens with changes in moisture. Sw. renlav), grey reindeer lichen, or (misleadingly) reindeer moss, is a light-colored, fruticose species of lichen, belonging to the family Cladoniaceae. Forms mats on ground in open coniferous forest; common and widespread across Northwestern Ontario's boreal forest; circumpolar. Reindeer lichens often form extensive, thick mats on the boreal forest floor. These cold-weather members of the deer, or Cervidae, family are famous for their association with Santa Claus. When the breeding season, also known as “rut,” approaches the males will begin to battle for dominance. Snow does not melt to allow access to lichens in time for the reindeer to avoid starvation, or there is not enough food available during calving. When grazing, a reindeer’s preferred food is a lichen – a fungi, moss-like plant that’s often found in … Read on to learn about the reindeer. These lichens are sometimes called “Reindeer Moss,” even though they are lichens and not moss. Many females will congregate together, all giving birth within ten days of one another. Across their range, climate change causes differences in the weather during important times. Habitat. While these animals are found across the globe in polar regions, they are found in generally one of two types of habitats. From this hole hundreds of caribou emerged, until the earth was nearly covered in them, and the man filled the hole back in again. Grey reindeer lichen is one of the lichens most frequently grazed by caribou and reindeer. Prickle cladonia (Cladonia uncialis) is also similar at first glance, but its spreading branchlets and hard, shiny outer surface readily separate it from the Cladinas. Notes. This coat has long, hollow guard hairs, as well as shorter soft under-fur to keep the animal warm. It grows in both hot and cold climates in well-drained, open environments. Stress studies showed that only boiling and radiation caused severe injury to these plants. Reindeer lichens have been taken to treat fever, jaundice constipation, convulsions, coughs, and tuberculosis. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Caribou are the only large mammals that are capable of digesting lichens, because they have special bacteria in their gut. The 2 species cannot be separated with certainty in the field, but they are easily identified using chemical tests. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. These animals have been hunted across their range for centuries. This has led to lots of mythological and spiritual stories about reindeer or caribou. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. In winter, metabolism slows, and reindeer rely on high-carbohydrate lichens called reindeer moss, which they reach by digging craters in the snow. By the time the calf is a day old it is capable of outrunning a human. General - shrub lichen, upright, 4 - 7 cm (sometimes to 10 cm) tall, pale yellowish green, intricately branching from a main stem, not copiously fork-branching from the base; branches hollow, with dull, appressed-cottony surface; end branchlets tending to point in one direction.