"The reindeer, known as caribou in North America, is a species of deer found in Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada and Alaska. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers annually, with the size being typically larger for males. They have the largest antlers relative to their body size among any living deer species. The color of the fur varies between individuals, both depending on subspecies and season. With reindeer in northern areas having typically a lighter coat than individuals found in the south part of their range. Males weigh between 159 - 182 kg (350 - 401 lb) while females are smaller and weigh between 80 - 120 kg (176 - 264 lb). Reindeer are migratory and can be found in huge herds with up to 500,000 individuals during migration periods. During the rut, they gather in smaller mixed gender groups with a few males guarding a group of females. Reindeer prefer open areas both for feeding and for resting as it allows them to keep an eye out for predators."
― In-Game Description
The Reindeer is a medium-sized deer (class 6). It can be hunted in the Medved Taiga National Park. The Caribou of Yukon Valley is similar in many ways to the Reindeer, however is slightly different in appearance.
The word origin for the word 'Reindeer' is greatly misunderstood. It has nothing to do with "rain" or the "reins" of a sleigh. But instead it descends from the Old Norse word "hreindyri" consisting of two parts "hreinn" and "dyri" (animal). "Hreinn" itself was already the usual name for the animal, but earlier Proto-Germanic word "khrinda" means "to run". So "reindeer" is "running beast". [1][2]
Russian word for the species is северный олень (severniy olen'). In back translation it means just Northern deer.
During migration, Tundra Reindeer can form herds as large as half a million.
The first recorded mention of "Santa's Reindeer" is credited to William Gilley's "The Children's Friend. Number III"... Clemet C. Moore's 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" is thought to have further cemented the animals into tradition. However, some argue that the true origin of these Christmas icons is Thor's chariot pulled by "Horned Goats".[3][4]