The reindeer has and has had an important economic role for all
circumpolar peoples. The fur and meat is sold, which is an important
source of income. It is believed that domestication started between
Bronze Age-Iron Age. Norway and Greenland have unbroken traditions
of hunting wild reindeer from the ice age until the present day.
In the non-forested mountains of central Norway, such as Jotunheimen,
it is still possible to find remains of stone built trapping pits,
guiding fences and bow rests, built especially for hunting reindeer.
The reindeer is good at surviving the long and cold winters of its
habitats which include most of the northern hemisphere. Both the
male and the female reindeer grow anklers. Males weigh up to 110
kg and females 70 kg. with a body length of around 180 cm and a
shoulder height of 100 cm.
Mating occurs from late September or October to early November.
Males battle for access to females. Two males will lock each other’s
antlers together and try to push each other away. The most dominant
males can collect as many as 15-20 females to mate with. A male
will stop eating during this time and lose much of its body reserves.
Calves may be born the following May or June. By 45 days the calves
are able to graze and forage but continue suckling until the following
fall and become independent from their mothers.
