The Importance of Reindeer
Long before the old times, reindeer is considered as one of the most important animals to man throughout Arctic Scandinavia and Russia. Reindeers help the man to enable them to live and survive the tough environment in the said countries. Reindeers are considered the toughest animals at that time that can help human being in making their life quite easy in doing daily task. Common livestock animals like horses and cows cannot stay alive on the harsh weather and climatic conditions in Arctic places hence they were unable to utilize by the people.
Reindeers are said to be the first hoofed animal that have been domesticated. There have been painting of reindeers in the caves that were said to be made 25,000 to 30,000 years ago that depicted the importance of reindeer in their existence. In one Chinese source dated way back A.D. 499, it had been revealed that domesticated reindeers have existed.
Reindeers are useful and functional in many ways. They are usually bred for their meat and are considered as staple food in the diet of many northern people on Europe and North. The reindeer’s meat can be eaten fresh but they are usually preserved by smoking and drying. Milk obtained form reindeer is not as many as with cow’s milk but the butter fat content of reindeer’s milk is four times as rich compared to butter fat found in ordinary cow’s milk. Reindeer’s milk is usually used for making cheese, butter and yoghurt.
The reindeers’ skin have been long utilized and made into clothing that can be worn even in temperate climates. The skin from the reindeer’s head cape can be utilized in making non-skid leather used for the soles of shoes intended for walking on ice. Reindeer’s hair has been imported and used in weaving to create expensive dress materials. Reindeer’s hides are utilized to fill upholsteries and as material in woolen stuffs. Reindeer sinew thread is perfect for sewing canoes or repairing boots because the sinew swells hence, provide impermeable seams that will not tear or damage the leather.
The antlers of reindeer are carved into knives and other household crafts. Nowadays, the antlers are pulverized or powdered and imported as medicinal supplements and taken as aphrodisiacs in some Asian countries. Even the tails of reindeers are utilized and transformed in the production of shaving brushes.
The practical value and importance of reindeers are not limited to its meat and skin because reindeer are known to be a trainable animal. Trained reindeers can pull goods; carry packs and even pull people on sleds. Children can safely ride in reindeers. Reindeer can now be found even in zoos and animals parks. There are some reindeers that are very friendly and few may follow people about. The great benefit in keeping and breeding reindeer is that they can find their own basic food even under snow and other extreme conditions because they are resourceful. They can vary and change their diet according to the season. Raising reindeer do not necessitate a shelter ad they are known to be a natural wanderer.
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06.06.2006.