Reindeer
Reindeer are unique among deer species as both males and females grow antlers. In North America, wild ones are called caribou, while domesticated ones are referred to as reindeer. They are highly social animals, travelling, feeding, and resting together in herds, which can range from small groups to vast migrations of thousands. Reindeer are exceptionally well adapted to the cold, spending up to 40% of their lives in snowy environments. Their cloven hooves spread wide to help them walk on snow and soft ground, and they also serve as tools for digging through the snow to uncover food. Reindeer are the only deer species to have a fully fur-covered nose, which helps them warm the frigid air before it reaches their lungs.
Diet
Reindeer are herbivores, primarily feeding on mosses, grasses, ferns, herbs, and the shoots and leaves of shrubs and trees such as willow and birch. In the winter, when vegetation is scarce, they rely on lichen (commonly called reindeer moss), which they dig up using their hooves. A special enzyme in their stomach helps them break down lichen, an energy-rich food source. On average, an adult reindeer consumes 4 to 8 kilograms of vegetation daily!
FUN FACT
Reindeer noses appear red due to a dense network of tiny blood vessels that circulate warm blood, preventing them from freezing in icy conditions. Their hooves also change with the seasons – soft and spongy in summer to provide grip on muddy terrain, then hard and sharp in winter to help them cut through ice and snow. They make a clicking sound when they walk, caused by a tendon in their ankle rubbing over a bone. This helps herd members keep track of one another, even in low-visibility snowy conditions.
HABITAT
Reindeer inhabit Arctic, subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions across northern Europe, Siberia, Greenland, Alaska, and Canada. While they were originally native to Scandinavia and northern Russia, they have since been introduced to Iceland and Greenland. They are constantly on the move, migrating long distances – sometimes up to 1,600 km – following seasonal food sources.
LIFE SPAN
20 years.
Adopt a Reindeer
Acer, Sven and Flynn, our majestic Reindeer, are a wonder to behold as they roam their specially designed habitat here at the zoo. These strong and resilient creatures thrive in colder climates, and your adoption through the Hero package helps us provide the best care and environment for them. Adopt Acer, Koda, Sven and Flynn today and become a vital part of their journey!
