Weatherwatch: reindeer adapted to snow but not climate change
Animal thrives in cold, snowy conditions, but freeze-thaw pattern threatens grazing
The reindeer is the emblematic Christmas animal and, while not exactly magical, it is among the best adapted to snowy conditions.
For a start, a reindeer’s feet have four toes with dewclaws that spread out to distribute its weight like snowshoes, and are equipped with sharp hooves for digging in snow.