Deer (Franchise)

Deer are animals seen minimally within the How to Train Your Dragon Franchise, but more often across several types of media.

Description
Deer (Family Cervidae) are quadruped mammals with cloven (two toes) hooves. All species grow antlers each year and shed them. Often antlers only occur in males of each species, but not all. Antlers come in a variety of forms, depending on the species. There are three species that occur in Scandinavia and also are mentioned briefly in the Franchise.

Red Deer
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) are a large deer species widespread across much of Europe, into Asia, and Northern Africa. It has also been introduced into South America and Australia. Red Deer's coats range from a reddish rust color to mousey brown, and size varies across its range of distribution. Antlers - occurring only in the males (stags) - start to grow in spring and then are shed in late winter.

Reindeer
Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) occur in and around the Arctic Circle, meaning they occur very far North on the North American Continent, Europe, and Asia, including large island such as Greenland. In North America, reindeer are called Caribou, but are the same species. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, though the females' antlers are smaller. They will eat grasses and shrubs, but subsist on lichen during times of food scarcity. Reindeer have even been known to eat lemmings, fish, or bird eggs if they are not able to get adequate nutrition.

Moose
Moose (Alces alces) are the largest currently existing member of the deer family. In Europe and Asia they are referred to as Elk. They are generally a uniform dark brown in color. Males often grow a dewlap under their necks. Antlers grow wide and resemble wings after a fashion. Moose have thick nose pads, giving them an appearance of a droopy muzzle. They browse on many types of vegetation, including aquatic vegetation, and generally spend a lot of time in marshy environments.

Function
In the How to Train Your Dragon Franchise, deer are seen being used a food for dragons (specifically the Red Death) and also for use of their antlers as decoration or function items.

In reality, deer are extensively hunted for sport and food. Deer meat is specifically referred to a Venison. Antlers are used for decoration and also to fashion a myriad of tools, especially earlier in human history. Deer hides are also used for leather, called buckskin.

The Sami of Scandinavia are a native nomadic peoples known for their reindeer herding and reliance on them. Reindeer provide meat, transport, clothing, and even milk. Reindeer cheese can be made from their milk.

How to Train Your Dragon
While Hiccup and Astrid are riding Toothless into the volcanic Dragon Island, many dragons are dropping animals of every sort into the volcano to feed the Red Death. Moose appear in the assortment.

Gift of the Night Fury
In this movie short, Gobber dons a festive antler headdress during Snoggletog.

"How to Start a Dragon Academy"
In the episode, "How to Start a Dragon Academy", Stoick mentions elk as part of the food in the Berk storehouse.

"Stand the elk up in the back. The fishing boats just came in with a big catch."

- Stoick in "How to Start a Dragon Academy"

"Dragon Flower"
In the episode, "Dragon Flower" Gobber mentions moose when he misreads Gothi's writing about what the dragons were allergic to.

"To a moose wearing boots? Shouldn't be hard to find."

- Gobber in Dragon Flower.

Look And Find: How to Train Your Dragon
This children's activity book contains eight scenes for the reader to find hidden objects. In the third scene, there are various items around the house at the Haddock home, including a set of caribou antlers.

School of Dragons
In the Quest, "History of Viking Contraptions", the player must collect a comb from Astrid to give to Headmaster Heyral to display in class. Astrid gives the player a comb made of Red deer antler.

"It's [the comb] carved out of red deer antler, so it's really strong."

- Astrid in School of Dragons

Antlers are also seen in some of the headdresses the player can customize their Viking avatar with.

Trivia

 * In June of 2017, the School of Dragons Forum posted a Poll asking players what new animal they would like to see in game. Reindeer was one option, but did not win the poll. This suggests that in the future, the game staff may consider adding reindeer to the game.