Quick answer
Reindeer feed on herbivore — lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms, adjusting seasonally based on local habitat and prey or plant availability.
Diet overview
Reindeers are mammals that rely on herbivore — lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms. Reindeer — called caribou in North America — are Arctic deer where both sexes grow antlers, undertaking the longest land migrations of any terrestrial mammal. Herds cross tundra from Alaska to Scandinavia, support Indigenous herding cultures, and are listed Vulnerable from climate change and disturbance.
Feeding behaviour
Foraging strategy varies by season. Reindeer may hunt, graze, filter-feed, or scavenge depending on ecology.
Role in the food web
As mammals, they interact with predators, prey, and competitors across their range.
Human-related feeding risks
Never feed wild reindeer — it habituates animals to people and can spread disease.
Sources
FAQs
What do reindeer eat?
Herbivore — lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms.
Are reindeer carnivores or herbivores?
Their diet is best described as: herbivore — lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms.
Do reindeer change diet seasonally?
Yes — many species shift food sources as seasons and prey abundance change.
Can I feed wild reindeer?
No — feeding wild animals is unsafe and often illegal.