Finnish researchers have mapped the complete genetic structure of Nordic reindeer

, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Finnish researchers announced to the media on Friday that they have mapped the complete genetic structure of Nordic reindeer and found many genetic features that help them adapt to harsh natural conditions.
The Laplan region of northern Finland is the main habitat for Nordic reindeer. According to popular legend, Santa Claus from Laplan would ride a Nordic reindeer-pulled sleigh during Christmas.
, a professor at the Finnish Institute of Natural Resources who was involved in the study, told the media that the study found that today's semi-domesticated Nordic reindeer are reindeer from mountain deer. The retina of the Nordic reindeer has adapted to the lighting conditions in the Laplan region. Due to the higher latitudes, polar nights occur in local winters, almost 24 hours a day, while in summer there are polar days and extremely long periods of daylight.
, Nordic reindeer also have genes that promote a sensitive sense of smell. Kantanen explains that they must be able to smell lids that are often covered in thick snow because that's their food. In Finland, people rarely feed their reindeer themselves, and reindeer often migrate in groups and find their own food.
also have genes that help their antlers renew each year, which trigger the antlers to fall off and allow them to grow again, said Cantanen, a northern European country.