User:Cstran8/Mountain reindeer

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Mountain reindeer are medium to large even-toed ungulates with a thick double coat that protects them from the Norwegian winter. Male reindeer (bulls) weigh on average 70 to 150 kg (154 to 331 pounds), while females (cows) weigh on average 40 to 100 kg (88 to 220 pounds). Both bulls and cows have antlers, but cows do not use them to battle one another; instead, like some bovids, they use their antlers to defend food or territory from intruders. Their summer coat is mostly pale brown with white rumps and, in some genetic variations, black legs and creamy-white necks. Their winter coat can be cream-white with beige shoulders and backs, or completely cream-white.

The mountain reindeer has several physiological adaptations to cope with different environmental temperatures. Reindeer have hemoglobin that allows for high oxygen unloading even at very cold temperatures. This is essential because reindeer limbs are often kept much colder than core body temperature, a phenomenon known as regional Heterothermy In warmer temperatures, reindeer can also switch from nasal breathing to open mouth panting for evaporative cooling.