Christopher asks:

>Anybody know if there are any differences between caribou and reindeer?
>Are there any anatomical differences?
>Are reindeer Genteler than caribou? (sans castration)
>No speculation please, just the facts.

Zero speculation follows: They are both given the same taxonomic name, Rangifer
tardanus, indicating that current thought suggests that they are the same
species, although that is always a debatable point in systematic theory when
comparing a wild animal with its domesticated descendants. At the moment, they
are at least different geographical races, having no geographical overlap.
Although Caribou are now restricted to North America, caribou did historically
exist in Europe as well, but were rendered extinct by at least the 1600's. The
caribou has never been domesticated in North America.

Perhaps more importantly, reindeer are smaller than their North American
cousins and are more gentle, having been domesticated by northern Europeans,
and gentleness being one of the hallmarks of domestication. In contrast, Santa
would have a tough time keeping six unruly caribou running in a straight line.

Wirt Atmar
---
þ RIMEGate(tm)/RGXPost V1.14 at BBSWORLD * Info{at}bbsworld.com

---
 * RIMEGate(tm)V10.2áÿ* RelayNet(tm) NNTP Gateway * MoonDog BBS
 * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 12/25/02 7:33:12 PM