
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