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reindeer at Blair Drummond Safari Park

Reindeer

Let's learn

Reindeer are the true winter warriors! With their thick fur coats and specially designed hooves, they’re perfectly suited for life in some of the coldest places on Earth. Their hooves actually change shape with the seasons to help them grip snow and soft ground. These incredible animals can migrate long distances, and in the wild, they can be found across northern Europe, North America, and Asia. They play a vital role in their ecosystems by controlling vegetation, dispersing seeds, and providing food for predators. Their presence helps maintain balance in the Arctic and sub-Arctic environments.

And here’s a festive fact that always raises eyebrows – reindeer are the only type of deer where both males and females grow antlers. But it’s the females who keep theirs through the winter. So if Santa’s sleigh is pulled by antlered reindeer… they’re almost certainly all girls!

Conservation status | Least concern

Fact Sheet

Scientific name

Rangifer tarandus

Family

Cervidae

Order

Artiodactyla

Lifespan

15 - 20 years

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