#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The Arctic Development Project Office (PORA) spoke about the unique feature of reindeer: they are the only mammals that can see ultraviolet radiation, and this does not damage the retina. This is important in the Arctic, where snow can reflect more than 90 percent of ultraviolet radiation.
The visual analyzer of these animals is adapted to the harsh conditions of the North. The deer’s eye recognizes waves up to 320 nanometers, while humans perceive them as black.
With the help of a special camera, scientists have found that only a few objects absorb ultraviolet light in the snow – wool, animal urine and lichens. They can be seen in the dark. Therefore, the reindeer’s superpower – the ability to see ultraviolet light – helps them to recognize predators in time and find food.
Anatomy and physiology of reindeer is unique. For example, it is the only one of the entire deer family whose females have horns. The hooves of these animals are very wide, which allows them not to get stuck in snowdrifts, dig up snow and get reindeer lichen from under it.
Reindeer fur has unsurpassed thermal insulation properties. It was even recognized as a reference material for winter clothing.
Due to their fur, the peculiarities of the internal organs functioning, the properties of blood and the work of the muscles, reindeer spend no more energy in winter than in summer.
Earlier, This Is Taimyr told about the exceptional properties of venison – this meat in Taimyr is considered almost medicinal. We also reported that this year the largest study of the wild reindeer population since 2014 took place on the peninsula. Experts determined the number, sex and age structure and habitats. Photographing managed to record more than 100 thousand ungulates.
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Text: Angelica Stepanova, Photo: Denis Kozhevnikov, Vitas Beneta, shutterstock.com
