Reindeer

Reindeer at a glance

Need to know

• Both male and female reindeer grow antlers; this is rare among deer species.
• Reindeer undertake some of the longest terrestrial migrations of any mammal, traveling over 5,000 km per year.
• Their hooves adapt seasonally: large and spongy in summer, sharp-edged in winter for ice and snow.
• Reindeer are well-adapted to Arctic darkness, having eyes that change color seasonally from gold to blue, improving vision.
• The name 'caribou' is used in North America, while 'reindeer' is the term in Europe and Asia.
• Santa's 'reindeer' are inspired by Eurasian domesticated subspecies!

About the Reindeer

The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as caribou in North America, is a medium-sized member of the deer family (Cervidae) native to circumpolar regions of the Arctic, subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous environments. Unique among deer, both sexes grow antlers, though male antlers are typically larger. Reindeer are famous for their astonishing long-distance migrations and crucial role in the ecosystems of the far north, as well as their importance in northern Indigenous cultures and traditions.

Domesticated reindeer have been herded for millennia by the Sámi and other peoples of Eurasia for transport, meat, and hides, while wild populations roam freely through harsh Arctic environments. Their remarkable physiological adaptations, from specialized nasal passages that warm frigid air to luminous eyes tuned for the Arctic twilight, make reindeer some of the most evolutionarily remarkable mammals on Earth.

Physical characteristics

Size: 1.6–2.1 meters in length, 0.8–1.4 meters tall at the shoulder. Weight: 60–318 kg. Lifespan: 8–12 years (up to 20 in captivity).

• Large, branching antlers in both sexes
• Broad, deeply cleft hooves
• Stocky body with thick fur
• Short tail
• Nasal passages lined to warm cold air

Notable species

• Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) — Least Concern. Open tundra, boreal forest edges Regions: Northern Scandinavia, Russia (Siberia), Lapland, Northern Finland, Kola Peninsula.
• Barren-ground Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) — Vulnerable. Arctic tundra, coastal barrens Regions: Canadian Arctic tundra, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Alaska North Slope, West Greenland.
• Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) — Endangered. Boreal coniferous forest Regions: Boreal forests of Canada (Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland), Northern U.S. Rockies, Southern Labrador.
• Svalbard Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) — Least Concern. Arctic tundra on islands Regions: Svalbard Archipelago, Arctic Ocean islands north of Norway.
• Peary Caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) — Endangered. High Arctic tundra Regions: Arctic Archipelago, Nunavut Islands, Banks Island, Victoria Island.
• Forest Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) — Vulnerable. Boreal and mixed forests Regions: Finland (eastern), Western Russia (Karelia, Arkhangelsk Ob.).

Habitat and range

Original range: Wide Arctic and subarctic regions across northern Eurasia and North America

Current distribution: Still widespread across Arctic, subarctic, tundra, and boreal forest from Norway and Russia to Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Southern ranges have contracted due to habitat loss.

Preferred environments: Arctic tundra, Subarctic forest tundra, Boreal forest (taiga), Alpine and subalpine meadows, Coastal plains

Regions: Scandinavia, Siberia, Alaska, Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Northern United States (historically), Svalbard, Karelia, Northern Mongolia

Where to see Reindeer

• Norwegian Lapland — October–April (winter migration, northern lights season). Look for herds managed by Sámi reindeer herders in tundra valleys.
• Nunavut tundra, Canada — Late June–August (calving and summer aggregations). Large wild caribou herds cross open tundra, visible during migration.
• Svalbard Islands — June–September (mild summer and high Arctic landscapes). See the unique Svalbard subspecies grazing near settlements.
• Finland-Russia border (Karelia) — December–February (winter tracking in deep snow). Forest reindeer sometimes cross clearings at dawn and dusk.

Behavior and diet

Diet: Mostly lichens (such as reindeer moss) in winter; grasses, sedges, and leaves in summer; mushrooms, willows, and sometimes even bird eggs opportunistically.

Social structure: Highly social, living in herds ranging from dozens to hundreds of thousands depending on the subspecies and season; herds often separate by sex outside of the rut (mating season).

Communication: Body posture, grunts, snorts, and hoarse calls. Calves and mothers use distinctive vocalizations to find each other. Knee tendons make an audible clicking sound, believed to help herds stay together in low visibility.

• Undertake mass seasonal migrations, some of the longest of any terrestrial mammal.
• Specialized hoof adaptations for snow and mud travel.
• Both genders drop and regrow antlers annually; pregnant females keep theirs through winter for dominance at food sources.
• Color-changing eyes for low-light seasonal adaptation.

Interactions with other animals

• Wolf (predator): Wolves are primary predators of reindeer and can impact herd size and distribution.
• Arctic Fox (scavenger): Arctic foxes scavenge remains from wolves' kills or target reindeer calves.
• Mosquito (parasitic): Clouds of mosquitoes and insects harass and feed on reindeer, sometimes driving migrations.
• Sámi Herding Dog (symbiotic/domesticated partner): Reindeer herding dogs assist Sámi people in managing semi-domestic herds.

Conservation

IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable

Threats

• Climate change altering tundra habitat and snow cover
• Habitat fragmentation from oil, gas, and mining development
• Overhunting in some regions
• Increased disease and parasite pressures
• Disturbance from increased human and industrial activity

Conservation efforts

• Large-scale herd monitoring and migration tracking
• Collaborative management with Indigenous peoples (e.g., Sámi, Inuvialuit)
• Protected area expansion, seasonal migration route conservation
• Strict hunting regulations and enforcement in vulnerable regions

How to help

• Support conservation organizations focused on Arctic wildlife
• Advocate for sustainable industrial practices in the far north
• Spread awareness about climate change's effect on Arctic ecosystems
• Respect migration corridors and traditional Indigenous lands when visiting or working in the north
• Reduce personal carbon footprint to help slow Arctic warming

Reindeer facts for kids

Reindeer are large, furry mammals that live in the cold northern parts of the world. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, and they can travel huge distances in big herds to find food. People in northern countries have also raised reindeer for riding and pulling sleds!

• Both boys and girl reindeer have antlers!
• Reindeer noses warm up the freezing air before breathing it in.
• Reindeer hooves get harder in winter—great for walking on ice.
• Some reindeer live where the sun doesn't rise for months.
• Reindeer can run as fast as a car on a city street!

Did you know? Did you know that baby reindeer can walk just 90 minutes after they're born?

Watch & learn

• Life of the Reindeer: Arctic Adaptations and Migration — BBC Earth. BBC Earth explores the incredible migration and survival strategies of reindeer (Rangifer) in the challenging Arctic region, highlighting family groups and harsh winters.
• Reindeer: Nomads of the North — National Geographic. This captivating documentary dives into the lives of wild and domesticated reindeer, their relationship with indigenous peoples, and their essential adaptation to extreme cold.
• Smithsonian Channel: Secrets of the Reindeer — Smithsonian Channel. Learn how reindeer (Cervidae family) changed over millennia to roam vast expanses and endure freezing temperatures, featuring high-definition wildlife cinematography.
• PBS Nature: Santa's Wild Home – Life Among Reindeer — PBS Nature. A heartwarming look at the role reindeer play in the northern wilderness, featuring rare footage of Rangifer herds and the bonds within their groups.
• Reindeer in the Tundra: Survival Stories — Nat Geo Wild. Follow reindeer through the tundra as they face predators, food shortages, and seasonal changes, with remarkable close-up footage and narration.