Rudolph the Red Nosed...Caribou?
In our culture animals are used and represented in a multitude of ways. We are used to hearing about bears, deer, birds, and domestic animals, so it was my goal to write about an animal that is not usually recognized, but serves an importance in our culture. Of the many animals I could choose from, I chose the Caribou. This beautiful animal is endangered in the eastern part of North America, but appears to be more common in tundra climates. The caribou can travel distances further than any other earth animal and can communicate among themselves through a variety of communication tactics. These animals also have a keen sense of smell, which allows them to find food hidden beneath the snow. The way caribou are used, represented and thought about are often overlooked, but once reminded of these animals, people have a new fascination with them.
Caribou are used in multiple ways. They were essential for the survival of Indian people, and still hold a prestigious place in Indian culture. Their antlers were used to make toys, knife handles, fishing jigs, bows, buttons, and more. Their bones were used to make tools such as scrapers, knives, blades, and needles. They are also used to pull sleds in tundra areas. Today, caribou are hunted for their high quality meat. Caribou hair, bones, and antlers were and still are used to create beads and decorations on artwork. The crafts and artwork created from caribou are an important tourist attraction in the north.
Surprisingly, the caribou seems to be quite influential in our culture. I have already mentioned how caribou contribute to art, toolmaking, and transportation, but there is one more rather famous title a caribou holds that I cannot go without mentioning. From the time we are old enough to understand Christmas stories we are fascinated with Santa's reindeer. I can recall spreading "reindeer food" on the grass on Christmas Eve, and once I even tried to set a camera to take a picture of the fascinating creatures who pulled Santa's sleigh. Once I received the tragic news that Santa was not real, I was in deep confusion because I continued to see real photos of what appeared to be a reindeer! I finally uncovered the truth about reindeer using the ever convenient Google search engine. "Reindeer" is just another word for caribou! So, all this time we have been tricked into believing that there is a species of Christmas deer called reindeer, when in fact they are simply the caribou who inhabit eastern North America and tundra areas.
Caribou are truly beautiful, amazing animals! They hide many secrets that are influential to our culture, but once reminded of these "secrets" we easily recognize the animal and its influence on cultures around the world. It is safe to say caribou are fascinating and have stunned me with their abilities and beauty!
I used the following sources for the completion of this entry:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Rangifer_tarandus.html
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/caribou/UseCaribou.html
Caribou are used in multiple ways. They were essential for the survival of Indian people, and still hold a prestigious place in Indian culture. Their antlers were used to make toys, knife handles, fishing jigs, bows, buttons, and more. Their bones were used to make tools such as scrapers, knives, blades, and needles. They are also used to pull sleds in tundra areas. Today, caribou are hunted for their high quality meat. Caribou hair, bones, and antlers were and still are used to create beads and decorations on artwork. The crafts and artwork created from caribou are an important tourist attraction in the north.
Surprisingly, the caribou seems to be quite influential in our culture. I have already mentioned how caribou contribute to art, toolmaking, and transportation, but there is one more rather famous title a caribou holds that I cannot go without mentioning. From the time we are old enough to understand Christmas stories we are fascinated with Santa's reindeer. I can recall spreading "reindeer food" on the grass on Christmas Eve, and once I even tried to set a camera to take a picture of the fascinating creatures who pulled Santa's sleigh. Once I received the tragic news that Santa was not real, I was in deep confusion because I continued to see real photos of what appeared to be a reindeer! I finally uncovered the truth about reindeer using the ever convenient Google search engine. "Reindeer" is just another word for caribou! So, all this time we have been tricked into believing that there is a species of Christmas deer called reindeer, when in fact they are simply the caribou who inhabit eastern North America and tundra areas.
Caribou are truly beautiful, amazing animals! They hide many secrets that are influential to our culture, but once reminded of these "secrets" we easily recognize the animal and its influence on cultures around the world. It is safe to say caribou are fascinating and have stunned me with their abilities and beauty!
I used the following sources for the completion of this entry:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Rangifer_tarandus.html
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/caribou/UseCaribou.html