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.
Reindeer/caribou are rather large members of the deer family. 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. Today, they are herded by many Arctic peoples in Europe and Asia including the Sami in Scandinavia and the Nenets, Chukchi and others in Russia. These peoples depend on the reindeer for almost everything in their economy including food, clothing and shelter. Some Nenets even keep reindeer for pets! Reindeer were introduced into Alaska and Canada last century, but most attempts failed. Native peoples in these countries still prefer to hunt caribou rather than herd reindeer.
Reindeer people suriving in Siberia, is far from the normal santa story.
Numto, Siberia -- At times it's almost impossible to put one foot in front of the other. After seven years in Russia I've never heard the word "bolota," but right now I am learning exactly what it means in a very graphic way: swamp. Part of the problem is that an early, unexpected snowstorm has caused an icy crust to form atop the oozy waters I'm slogging through. Sometimes I sink so far down into the muck that it's difficult to pull my foot out.
I am trekking roughly 12 to 15 kilometers through swamp and forest with my companions -- ethnographers Alyosha and Marina Zenko from the central Siberian city of Tyumen. Fortunately I am wearing a pair of "sapagee," the same thigh-high rubber boots which allow fishermen to stand in swift-flowing rivers and still keep their feet dry.
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