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Published: 2017-12-26 23:51:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 2831; Favourites: 133; Downloads: 0
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Description
These two reindeer cows were sketched from photos which I took at the Cairngorms Reindeer Centre in Aviemore Scotland (really worth a visit if you're in the area). Female reindeer grow antlers too, although smaller and less elaborate than the bulls. I was fascinated to learn that antlers are often asymmetrical, but regardless of their shape a deer's antlers usually grow to be the same weight, which makes it easier for Rudolph to maintain his posture.I hope you're all having a nice holiday season!
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Comments: 29
The info you share is fascinating! From drawing them and photos I knew reindeer antlers are often asymmetrical, but that they grow to be about the same weight I had no idea! It's surprising how neat evolution can sometimes make nature. Very nice sketches too! Reindeer have funny faces and peculiar anatomy. When I first saw one for real I was surprised by how little they are!
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So glad you find these little quirky details as fascinating as I do. I learned so much from talking to gamekeepers and deerstalkers, and staff at the Cairngorms reindeer centre, bits of unexpected information that never ends up in textbooks. For example, if a deer has a significant injury on one leg (like a fracture), the antler on the opposite side of the body to the injury will develop stunted and small. The other antler will grow normally. Nobody really knows why, but it has been observed many times in various species of deer.
Most of the reindeer originating from Europe (which includes tame reindeer in America that you might see at petting zoos and Christmas displays) are indeed very small, but the North American caribou are enormous in comparison!
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Interesting that the antlers do not end up mostly-symmetrical.Β Do they gain "points" on their antlers year on year?Β
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Most antlered deer start off with "pricks" and then gain more tines as they age, however antlers decrease in complexity as the animal enters its senior years (which is rare to see in the wild). Therefore points can be an indicator of reproductive status and health. I imagine reindeer are much the same.
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Ohhh nice! You've got that anatomy spot on. Especially the snout and those feet!
I really like how your shading work is subtle, but really brings your attention to details as well. Like how it adds the soft texture of the fur, but shows the structural anatomy too. So cool. <3
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Thank you very much! What a wonderful comment 
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Damn, nice! Is that what they're called? I'd have thought they'd be called does, but they look so different to other cervids that the name doesn't seem fitting.. but yeah.
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Thank you!
Yes, the terms cow/calf/bull also apply to moose and American elk.
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On the contrary, these deer were fat and healthy.
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really nicely done
I like the research you did too
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Thanks! I just asked a lot of questions when I visited the reindeer centre.
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asking questions is researchΒ 
and you're welcome
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True, but the statements made by Reindeer Centre staff have not been fact-checked
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you would expect they would fact-check themselves though
perhaps not
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Eeee I love how you did their faces and antlers! Reindeer are my favorite animals and it's so awesome to see them in your gorgeous style <3
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Thanks! So happy to hear they're your favourite animal. I think they're very underappreciated, and I get a little annoyed when they are replaced with red deer or white tails in Christmas representations, as if to say that reindeer are not magnificent enough.
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YES. THANK YOU. I collect reindeer but I'm very picky with my posters/plushies/etc.Β I want actual reindeer/caribou, not red deer or white tailed deer. I mean, I love other deer species too, but reindeer are gorgeous and fascinating in their own right. So many people don't know that what a real reindeer looks like and very few animated Christmas films bother with making the reindeer look correct. They're typically just white-tailed or red deer :/
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I feel your pain!
I'm currently in Finland where reindeer are something of a national icon, so their Christmas depictions tend to be faithful.
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I had the chance to go to Finland and Norway when I was pretty young, it was glorious! c: That's probably when I first started loving reindeer!
Sorry I know I tend to ramble on your pictures, I just love your style and faithful depictions!
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You're very kind! I love your comments
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