# Reindeer (*Rangifer tarandus*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Arctic tundra and boreal forest from Scandinavia and Russia through Alaska and Canada to Greenland; wild caribou in North America, herded reindeer in Eurasia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/reindeer/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Cervidae
- **Genus:** Rangifer

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Rangifer tarandus |
| Diet | Herbivore — lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms |
| Habitat | Arctic tundra, boreal forest, and mountain plateaus |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years in the wild |
| Weight | 60–180 kg (130–400 lb); bulls larger |
| Top speed | Up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in flight |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## Epic migration

Some barren-ground caribou herds travel over 5,000 km annually between calving grounds and winter range — the longest terrestrial migration on Earth. Calving synchrony on Arctic tundra overwhelms predators, but warming disrupts timing and insect harassment increases.

## Antlers on females

Reindeer are the only deer where females commonly grow antlers. Cows retain theirs through winter, while bulls shed after the rut. Antlers are used for digging through snow for lichens — critical winter food called reindeer moss.

## Indigenous herding

Sámi, Nenets, and other Arctic peoples have herded domestic reindeer for centuries, following migrations and relying on meat, hides, and transport. Wild caribou remain vital subsistence resources for Alaska Native communities.

## Climate vulnerability

Listed Vulnerable, reindeer and caribou face rain-on-snow events that ice over food, increased parasitic flies in warmer summers, and industrial disturbance of migration routes from mining and roads in the Arctic.

## Frequently asked questions

### Reindeer vs caribou?

Same species — Rangifer tarandus. 'Reindeer' usually means domesticated or Eurasian populations; 'caribou' refers to wild North American forms.

### Why do reindeer noses turn red?

Rich blood flow in nasal passages warms frigid air before it reaches the lungs — physiology that inspired festive folklore, though real noses are not bright red.

### Do female reindeer have antlers?

Yes — females grow antlers, unlike most other deer, and keep them longer through winter.

### What do reindeer eat?

Lichens (reindeer moss), grasses, sedges, leaves, and mushrooms — diet shifts between summer greenery and winter lichens dug from snow.

### Are reindeer endangered?

Listed Vulnerable globally. Some herds are declining sharply from climate change and habitat disturbance, though total numbers remain in the millions.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Rangifer tarandus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Rangifer%20tarandus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Rangifer tarandus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rangifer_tarandus/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/reindeer/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.