The sea around Svalbard is nutrient-rich, and during the summer large numbers of sea birds flock to the archipelago. Males average 65–90 kg in weight, females 53–70 kg,[2] while for other reindeer generally body mass is 159–182 kg for males and 80–120 kg for females. On our Spitsbergen Odyssey tour, you'll have the best chance of spotting one of Norway's beloved furry locals, the Svalbard reindeer. Female reindeer are generally smaller, and can measure up to 6’7″ (2.05 meters), and usually weigh 121 to 308 lbs. Svalbard reindeer live for an average of 10 years, but some have been noted for living as long as 17 years. There are about 10,000 Svalbard reindeer alive today. Comparatively, the average age of Norway’s population is 39, and the average age of the US population is around 38. Their weight varies considerably between seasons. Cartoons rarely do reindeer justice. Birds. These reindeer reach sexual maturity around age three, and breeding season begins in October. They then lose the antlers at the beginning of winter. Chemosphere, 203, 209-218. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.03.158, Caribou at the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, "Svalbard reindeer populations rebounding from centuries of hunting", "DNA extracted from faeces as a source of information about endemic reindeer from the High Arctic: Detection of Shiga toxin genes and the analysis of reindeer male-specific DNA", More Than 200 Reindeer Found Dead in Norway, Starved by Climate Change, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Svalbard_reindeer&oldid=999241730, CS1 Norwegian Bokmål-language sources (nb), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 9 January 2021, at 05:08. The wild Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), which lives in the harsh archipelago of Svalbard off Norway in the Arctic Ocean, was nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Svalbard reindeer are a smaller subspecies, with shorter legs and a relatively small and rounded head. Arctic, Destinations: Svalbard reindeer are the only reindeer species in Svalbard. You'll spot reindeer throughout the town. Northern reindeer, such as the Peary caribou, have white fur, whilst the Southern types, such as Woodland caribou, have darker fur. It’s not a surprise that Svalbard … Svalbard Polar bear, reindeer, Northern Lights. Here the animals are exposed to extreme cold, periods with little food and a long winter without daylight. During the winter, Svalbard reindeer forage in areas where snow has less chance to accumulate. The Svalbard reindeer is a small subspecies of Rangifer tarandus. OTL09-21 These smaller groups may also gather during the winter due to limited feeding grounds. (2018). By 1925 they had almost gone extinct due to over-hunting in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The stiff fur on the sole of each foot keeps polar bears from slipping … Life at the top of the world is an intriguing idea, … Characterised by having short, plump legs, these reindeer are fairly small in general, the females and males weighing up to 70 and 90 kilogrammes in autumn. The Svalbard reindeer is the smallest subspecies of reindeer and has the scientific name Rangifer … Take a cruise around Spitsbergen and explore the icy waters of the North Atlantic. This special expedition offers you the chance to catch site of whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, and the star attraction, the polar bear. [6] They are the only large grazing mammal in the European High Arctic, and this makes them exceptional for studies concerning the introduction of pollutants to changing ecosystems. Svalbard reindeer live in the most rapidly changing Arctic environment. In the winter the fur gets lighter in colour and is almost grey or yellow-white. The wildlife on Svalbard has had to adapt to the harsh living conditions in the Arctic. They live for an average of 10 years, but some have been noted for living as long as 17 years. Description: The Svalbard reindeer (or Spitsbergen reindeer) is the only reindeer species in Svalbard. They are quite small, with a size between 1.5-1.6 meters and a weight of 65 kg on average. svalbard reindeer - svalbard reindeer stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. It’s customary to take your shoes off. Saved from the brink of extinction by dedicated recovery programs, these small reindeer have a dramatically variable birth rate, Region: The walrus and polar bear are completely protected. During the summer the fur is darker with brown fur on top and light on the belly. The body mass of males is approximately 65 kg in spring and 90 kg in autumn, while female body mass is approximately 53 kg in spring and 70 kg in autumn. RVR27-21 Svalbard reindeer tend to form small groups of about five members during the summer. The Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) is a small subspecies of reindeer found on the Svalbard archipelago of Norway. Over recent decades their population has increased. Pregnancy lasts about seven months, and a single calf may be born to each pregnant female in June. Have a minute spare for 5 random facts? One of the less less well-known facts about reindeer is that they are typically... 3. These reindeer were almost hunted to extinction in the early 1900s, but dedicated recovery programs helped them repopulate. About thirty types of bird … Svalbard, Name: Svalbard Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), Length: 1.5 to 1.6 metres (4.9 - 5.3 feet), Weight: 50 to 90 kg (110 - 198 pounds), males being larger, Appearance: White with darker coloring along their backs and faces. But one subspecies of reindeer seems to be doing better, anew study has found. [2] Their fur is also lighter in colour and thicker during winter. Take a cruise around Spitsbergen and explore the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The thickness of the coat contributes to the short-legged appearance and makes even starved animals appear fat in the winter. What does a Svalbard reindeer look like? Svalbard reindeer as an indicator of ecosystem changes in the Arctic terrestrial ecosystem. Svalbard reindeer are generally curious about people, slowly approaching to check them out before deciding if they should run or go back to feeding. Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts 1. “The thickness of the coat contributes to the short-legged appearance and makes even starved animals appear fat in the winter,” says the Norwegian Polar Institute on a web page devoted to the Svalbard reindeer. Svalbard only has two species of land mammals; the arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer. The Svalbard reindeer is genetically distinct from other species of reindeer, with short legs and a fat layer that can be 10cm thick. Then there are about 15-20 seal and whale species in the sea. It is a unique, relatively small subspecies. [3], The subspecies is endemic to the islands of Svalbard, where it has lived for at least 5,000 years, and has become well adapted to the harsh climate,[4][5] being found on nearly all non-glaciated areas of the archipelago. If you keep quiet and avoid sudden movements, you can admire this animal up close. Svalbard reindeer have no natural predators. In this colorful video we cover everything from hooves to antlers, running speed to reproduction. Both sexes grow antlers. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears. As of 2019 the total population across the archipelago is approximately 22,000. They also have built-in socks. The Svalbard reindeer was at one point before the Svalbard Treaty almost extinguished, but has since increased greatly, and today hunting is based on quotas. Svalbard reindeer have stubby legs and very shaggy hair. PLA08-21 There are reindeer, and then there are Svalbard reindeer. This special expedition offers you the chance to catch site of whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, and the star attraction, the polar bear. The males develop large antlers during the period from April to July and shed the velvet during August–September. During the short Arctic summer, Svalbard reindeer feed on a lush tundra vegetation of vascular plants, including grasses, herbs, sedges and deciduous shrubs in the lowland plains and valleys, to accumulate fat for the winter. The reindeer change colour of the fur throughout the different seasons. svalbard reindeer (rangifer tarandus) grazing on the tundra in varsolbukta, bellsund, spitsbergen, arctic, norway, scandinavia, europe - svalbard reindeer stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Jan 31, 2018 - Svalbard reindeer are the smallest subspecies of reindeer. About 200 reindeer have been found dead from starvation in the Arctic archipelago Svalbard, an unusually high number, the Norwegian Polar Institute has said, pointing the finger at … On the other hand, female reindeer grow antlers beginning in June and keep them for an entire year. Take a cruise around Spitsbergen and explore the icy waters of the North Atlantic. During the summer and when access to food is easier, these reindeer spend most of their time feeding in order to accumulate enough fat to survive the next winter. Both sexes have antlers, but those of the males are bigger. A classic three island voyage : Ice , Inuit and Remoteness. The reindeer are native to Svalbard and have few natural predators, though their carcasses are a staple in the Arctic fox diet. Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins. Starvation is the most significant factor keeping the population of this species in check. During the nursing period (about three months), Svalbard reindeer calves grow from about 3 kg (6.6 pounds) to about 10 kg (22 pounds) when weaned. The Svalbard reindeer (R. tarandus platyrhynchus) is a distinct sub-species, and while previously almost extinct, hunting is permitted for both it and the Arctic fox. 1. They are relatively sedentary, and are thus highly vulnerable to changes in local conditions. Top Svalbard facts. 59 cruises, The cruises on oceanwide-expeditions.com have received an average, Zodiac Cruising around the South Orkney Islands, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice - Birding, Fly & Sail - Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice. It's a casual occurrence for a reindeer to wander through … Here we provide nine interesting facts about the Svalbard variety, those lovable grass-noshing animals we often see during voyages to that archipelago. Reindeer can be found in most Arctic areas. We have a total of [7] The fur of Svalbard Reindeer contains elements and chemicals picked up from the vegetation they digest. Males average 65–90 kg in weight, females 53–70 kg, [2] while for other reindeer generally body mass is 159–182 kg for males and 80–120 kg for females. Successful males will collect up to ten females to create a harem. Pacyna, A., Koziorowska, K., Chmiel, S., Mazerski, J., & Polkowska, Z. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. Population developments thus diverge in the two core monitoring regions. Guests on a hike get a prime view of Svalbard’s friendly reindeer. They live for an average of 10 years, but some have been noted for living as long as 17 years. The 40-year monitoring shows population growth and increased carrying capacity of the tundra, but also harsher winters, greater isolation, and population reductions. Birth rates can vary wildly from year to year depending on how hard the winters were in the previous season. Also referred to as caribou, reindeer are a member of the deer family and... 2. 7 sweet Svalbard reindeer facts Svalbard reindeer are the smallest subspecies of reindeer. Humans are greatly outnumbered on these islands: There are 2,500 people who live in Svalbard compared to 3,000 polar bears and 10,000 reindeer. There are a limited number of domesticated animals in Russian settlements. During your trip around the Arctic, you have a unique chance to see the most frequent guests of this region – Svalbard reindeer. Svalbard is the northernmost archipelago in Europe, a collection of scattered islands administered by Norway since the 1920s. [8], Compared to other reindeer, they are short-legged and have a small, rounded head. The population of Svalbard is quite young, which is why when you visit Svalbard you won’t see many retirement homes, but you will see two kindergartens in the relatively small town of Longyearbyen. The Svalbard reindeer suffer from insular dwarfism. Their weight varies considerably between seasons. [2], Some 200 reindeer were found starved to death in July 2019. Males lose their antlers in early winter. This special expedition offers you the chance to catch site of whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, and the star attraction, the polar bear. PLA09-21 They are generally sedentary, however, and shuffle along as they feed. Both of the reindeer sexes have antlers, and will shed them each year to be replaced by a fresh pair. Longyearbyen is so far north it is just 814 miles from the north pole. Svalbard reindeer are the smallest subspecies of reindeer. This special expedition offers you the chance to catch site of whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, and the star attraction, the polar bear. Females develop antlers starting in June and they are usually retained for a whole year. Males are bigger than females and have larger antlers. These include mountain slopes, ridgelines, and plateaus. [9] Rain on snow early in the winter season formed thick layers of ice on the tundra, making grazing plants inaccessible, a result of the warmer temperatures due to climate change.[10]. This article about an even-toed ungulate is a stub. Reindeer and caribou populations have been declining dramatically over the past few decades. OTL08-21 Even Norwegians need to show their passport when travelling to Svalbard.That's because while Norway is part of the European Schengen area, the archipelago is not.Flights to Longyearbyen airport leave from the non-Schengen zone of Oslo Airport, and everyone is required to show their passport regardless of nationality. In spring the average Svalbard reindeer male weighs 65 kg (143 pounds), growing to 90 kg (198 pounds) by autumn. Grey-brown, wirehaired coat, also between the hooves and on the muzzle. Svalbard’s tiny population is extremely multicultural. Male reindeer develop antlers from April through July, shedding the velvet covering in late summer. Take a cruise around Spitsbergen and explore the icy waters of the North Atlantic. However, the animal you will encounter most is the reindeer. Like stray dogs in Mexico, cows in India, and chickens around the world, Svalbard’s reindeer roam unimpeded. The Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) is a small subspecies of reindeer found on the Svalbard archipelago of Norway. In spring the average Svalbard reindeer male weighs 65 kg (143... Svalbard reindeer fur grows lighter in color during winter. The short-legged and tasty Svalbard reindeer is not particularly shy, and you will often find them wandering down the road in search of food. Jul 20, 2018 - Svalbard reindeer are the smallest subspecies of reindeer. Svalbard reindeer can reach speeds of up to 80 km (50 mph) at a sprint. It’s a local custom to take your shoes off indoors and you’ll … Svalbard reindeer fur grows lighter in color during winter. The Svalbard reindeer has a denser coat, is more compact and has shorter legs. Birth rates (the number of females that get pregnant) can be anywhere from 10% to 90% among Svalbard reindeer. 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