Moving with the reindeer in the winter
January 22, 2016 6:33 AM Subscribe
In case you were also wondering, "What the hell do they eat in winter?" Here's your answer:
Once winter sets in and snow covers the tundra, the reindeer diet narrows down to one food: lichen. Lichen survives the cold winters because of its unique biological combination of algae and fungus. Thanks to the algae, lichen doesn't require much sunlight to produce chlorophyll; the spongy material of the fungus also holds up well against the harsh temperatures. Reindeer sniff out lichen beneath the snow and use their curved hooves or antlers to uncover it. During this time, reindeer maintain more sedentary habits to preserve their energy [source: University of Alaska Fairbanks]. The lichen-only regimen is the reverse of the Atkins Diet. The plant contains high amounts of carbohydrates, but no protein. Consequently, the carbs provide the reindeer a source of quick-burning energy that carries them through winter. However, lichen isn't a particularly hearty food, and for that reason, reindeer will eat 4 to 11 pounds (1.8 to 4.9 kilograms) of reindeer moss each day [source: Dieterich and Morton]. That's why reindeer pack on the pounds in the warmer months when there's more to choose from. In fact, these animals gradually lose weight starting in the fall and continuing to March [source: University of Alaska Fairbanks].
posted by leotrotsky at 6:42 AM on January 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Once winter sets in and snow covers the tundra, the reindeer diet narrows down to one food: lichen. Lichen survives the cold winters because of its unique biological combination of algae and fungus. Thanks to the algae, lichen doesn't require much sunlight to produce chlorophyll; the spongy material of the fungus also holds up well against the harsh temperatures. Reindeer sniff out lichen beneath the snow and use their curved hooves or antlers to uncover it. During this time, reindeer maintain more sedentary habits to preserve their energy [source: University of Alaska Fairbanks]. The lichen-only regimen is the reverse of the Atkins Diet. The plant contains high amounts of carbohydrates, but no protein. Consequently, the carbs provide the reindeer a source of quick-burning energy that carries them through winter. However, lichen isn't a particularly hearty food, and for that reason, reindeer will eat 4 to 11 pounds (1.8 to 4.9 kilograms) of reindeer moss each day [source: Dieterich and Morton]. That's why reindeer pack on the pounds in the warmer months when there's more to choose from. In fact, these animals gradually lose weight starting in the fall and continuing to March [source: University of Alaska Fairbanks].
posted by leotrotsky at 6:42 AM on January 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
The first 55 seconds look like a murmuration in 2D.
posted by klarck at 6:44 AM on January 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by klarck at 6:44 AM on January 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Overheard, one reindeer to another, "Is it just me, or are the mosquitoes getting bigger and earlier every year?".
posted by fairmettle at 6:49 AM on January 22, 2016
posted by fairmettle at 6:49 AM on January 22, 2016
Meanwhile altogether vast
Herds of reindeer move across
Miles and miles of golden moss
Silently and very fast
posted by thatwhichfalls at 6:50 AM on January 22, 2016
Herds of reindeer move across
Miles and miles of golden moss
Silently and very fast
posted by thatwhichfalls at 6:50 AM on January 22, 2016
That should be:
"Meanwhile altogether elsewhere vast
Herds of reindeer move across
Miles and miles of golden moss
Silently and very fast"
I'm old, my memory is going ...
posted by thatwhichfalls at 7:01 AM on January 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
"Meanwhile altogether elsewhere vast
Herds of reindeer move across
Miles and miles of golden moss
Silently and very fast"
I'm old, my memory is going ...
posted by thatwhichfalls at 7:01 AM on January 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Which one has the Monopoly Board? I didn't see any backpacks on the reindeer.
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:41 AM on January 22, 2016
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:41 AM on January 22, 2016
Excellent use of Auden, thatwhichfalls.
posted by Quasirandom at 7:46 AM on January 22, 2016
posted by Quasirandom at 7:46 AM on January 22, 2016
Delete 'meanwhile' to get 'Altogether elsewhere, vast' and you're good to go.
posted by Mocata at 8:54 AM on January 22, 2016
posted by Mocata at 8:54 AM on January 22, 2016
Meanwhile altogether elsewhere vast
Herds of reindeer move across
Miles and miles of golden moss
Silently and very fast
Chased by our snowmobiles.
posted by Auden at 9:49 AM on January 22, 2016
Herds of reindeer move across
Miles and miles of golden moss
Silently and very fast
Chased by our snowmobiles.
posted by Auden at 9:49 AM on January 22, 2016
Yeah, the snowmobiles kind of shrink the natural grandeur. I was hoping to be able to see this and glimpse what it was like during the ice ages, when vast herds of mammals migrated across huge tracts of frozen earth, unseen and unknown by humans. But this looks like someone's trying to provoke a stampede for the camera.
posted by Modest House at 11:25 AM on January 22, 2016
posted by Modest House at 11:25 AM on January 22, 2016
The vocalization was eerily beautiful, and the visuals mesmerizing. Thanks for posting this. I found it incredibly relaxing.
posted by ezust at 3:20 PM on January 22, 2016
posted by ezust at 3:20 PM on January 22, 2016
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posted by leotrotsky at 6:36 AM on January 22, 2016