Caribou Skull

REINDEER

Rangifer tarandus

   
PAGE INDEX
1. Lateral view
2 & 3. Dorsal views,
male and female 
4. Details

Reindeer, also known as caribou in N America, are found throughout the arctic regions, with many local varieties, varying in weight from 60kg to 300kg. They were present in Britain in the post-glacial period, but were probably extinct before Roman times. In 1952 Scandinavian reindeer were introduced to the Cairngorms, where they have become established.

The only species of deer in which the female has antlers, the male having a characteristic palmated brow tine.

TAXONOMY
Order - Artiodactyla 
(cloven-hoofed)
Suborder - Ruminantia 
("cud-chewers")
Family - Cervidae 
(deer)

Dental Formula : 0.1.3.3 / 3.1.3.3

1. Reindeer Skull, female, lateral view.
2 & 3. Reindeer skulls, male & female, showing antlers.

Details of Specimens illustrated

Image 1 & 3

Reindeer Rangifer tarandus

Sex - female

Stage - adult

Area collected - USA, captive bred

Source - Courtesy of Joey Williams

Measurements

Overall length

350mm

Overall width

155mm

Image 2

Reindeer Rangifer tarandus

Sex - male

Stage - adult

Area collected - West Greenland, lat. 67'

Source - Found on tundra

Scientific Name : Rangifer - From ren or rangier, Swedish and Old French words for reindeer, and ferus "wild".
Scientific Name : tarandus from the Latin tarandrus "animal of the north".

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		1. Reindeer Skull, female, lateral view.
		2 & 3. Reindeer skulls, male & female, showing antlers.