Species · GBIF taxon 5220114
Reindeer
Rangifer tarandusAlso known as Caribou, Wild Reindeer, Barren-ground Caribou, Woodland Caribou
Reindeer are highly adapted Arctic survivors, featuring specialized clicking tendons that help herds stay together in blinding blizzards and hollow-haired coats that trap insulating air. They are the only deer species where both males and females grow antlers, which they use to compete for food and mates in the harsh tundra. Vast herds undertake some of the longest overland migrations of any terrestrial mammal, shaping the northern ecosystems they traverse.
MigratoryArcticSocial
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Cladonia lichens
- Willow leaves
- Sedges
Predators
- Gray Wolf
- Wolverine
- Brown Bear
ThreatsClimate change, habitat fragmentation, industrial development, and overhunting
HabitatsTundra, boreal forests, and mountainous arctic regions
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCervidae
- SpeciesRangifer tarandus
Native Introduced
Native range in olive; established introduced range in rust.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Large animals that can charge or kick during the autumn rut; maintain a safe distance of at least fifty meters.
- Why it is dangerous
- Bulls become highly aggressive during the autumn rut, using their massive antlers and sharp hooves to defend harems.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for large, sweeping antlers on both sexes, a white neck mane, and broad, crescent-shaped hooves.
- What to do
- Never approach a herd on foot; if a bull displays aggressive behavior, back away slowly and seek cover.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by their compact, low-slung bodies and heavy, light-colored winter coats.
- Support conservation
- Avoid using drones or making loud noises that can panic herds and waste their vital energy reserves.
Responsible observation
- Keep your distance: Give herds at least fifty meters of space, especially during the autumn mating season when bulls are aggressive.
- Watch for clicking: Listen for the distinctive clicking sound of their ankle tendons, which signals a herd is nearby.
- Respect migration corridors: Avoid blocking known migration paths or river crossings where herds are highly vulnerable.
Predator User:Mas3cf / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator Esquilo / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Primary Food Source Jason Hollinger / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Paxson Woelber / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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