Imagine a deer with a horn size of three and a half meters. Imagine this giant? So such huge animals lived on our planet 7 thousand years ago. However, evolution has forced them to significantly reduce their size and now the weight of the largest representative of this family reaches 350 kg, they are also called noble deer.
Indeed, it is a very impressive sight, especially for males, because only they have magnificent branchy horns, while females are deprived of them. It is not wise, because the horns are serious weapons to protect the female from other males and predators. The latter will not be lucky if the deer uses their sharp hooves against them.
With one blow, the deer can pierce the enemy's chest. But they are very peaceful animals and prefer to solve all conflicts by flight, the attack of the deer will go only if there is nowhere to run. Or, when it is necessary for the female to prove that he is worthy of it, and not his opponent. During mating it is better not to be caught in the eyes of deer, they become literally inadequate.
There are a total of 51 species of this large family, with the reindeer having horns for both males and females, while the tiny water deer have no horns at all. All these species live almost everywhere, from deserts to tundra.
Reindeer usually live in herds, males, several females and calves. Feed mostly on vegetation, but they will not give up on fruits and vegetables, and in the northern regions they prefer jagiol and moss, which can be extracted even from deep enough snow.
Humanity has always admired the beauty and natural grace of this animal. A huge number of myths and legends were created under the impression of a deer. In Christianity, it is generally a symbol of hermit. The Chinese went even further and decided that this animal is actually a god Shaw-Sinh, and he is responsible for longevity and at the same time for wealth.
Maya did not bother to consider themselves people at all Deer. Medieval knights approached it more pragmatically, and despite the fact that the animal symbolized the purity, it was served in a fried form on a spit and it was always considered a desirable prey when hunting.