ReindeerRangifer tarandusWhere and when to see them

Reindeer are northern deer adapted to cold, seasonal landscapes, with insulating coats, broad hooves and a remarkable ability to find food beneath snow. Known as caribou in North America, they include populations with very different body sizes and movement patterns. Norway supports wild mountain reindeer, semi-domesticated herds and the distinctive Svalbard subspecies. These categories should not be confused, since their management, behavior and accessibility differ substantially across the region.

Size

120-220 cm (47.2-86.6 in) body length

Weight

60-180 kg (132.3-396.8 lb)

Lifespan

10-15 years in the wild

Status

Vulnerable

Social organization changes through the year, with animals gathering or separating according to food, insects, calving and mating. Some populations undertake extensive migrations, whereas Svalbard reindeer generally move over much smaller areas. Both sexes can grow antlers, although males usually shed theirs earlier after the rut. In winter, reindeer use their hooves to excavate feeding craters in snow, but hard ice layers can prevent access to vegetation and cause severe food shortages. Reindeer possess an excellent sense of smell to locate food under snow and detect predators. Their broad hooves provide superior traction on snow and ice, acting like snowshoes, and can be spread wide to support their weight.

• Females commonly retain antlers through winter, after many adult males have shed theirs.
• The nose helps warm incoming cold air and recover moisture from exhaled breath.
• Broad hooves support travel over soft ground and help dig through snow.
• Svalbard reindeer are a distinctive, relatively sedentary subspecies.

Late spring through summer generally provides the best daylight and access for northern observation. Mainland mountain viewing may require inland walking, while Svalbard opportunities depend on permitted routes and local conditions. Autumn rutting and winter survival impose additional reasons to avoid disturbing animals. Prime viewing from expedition ships in Svalbard is often during the summer months, when fjords are accessible and the tundra is green. For mainland Norway, summer offers optimal conditions for guided walks to see wild herds.

Habitats include Arctic tundra, alpine plateaus, open woodland and boreal forest, depending on the population. Norwegian wild herds principally occupy inland mountain landscapes. Svalbard reindeer use tundra valleys and coastal plains where vegetation is accessible during the short growing season. They are highly adaptable, inhabiting areas from treeline to high mountain tundra. Some populations are migratory, covering vast distances between seasonal ranges.

Reindeer eat grasses, sedges, leaves, dwarf shrubs, fungi and lichens, with strong seasonal and regional variation. Lichens are especially important to many mainland populations in winter. Svalbard animals rely more heavily on local vascular plants and mosses than the familiar lichen-centered stereotype suggests. In spring and summer, they consume a wider variety of fresh vegetation, which is crucial for building up fat reserves. Specialized gut microbes help them digest tough plant materials, including lichens.

Common name

Reindeer

Scientific name

Rangifer tarandus

Animal group

Mammals

Size

120-220 cm (47.2-86.6 in) body length

Weight

60-180 kg (132.3-396.8 lb)

Lifespan

10-15 years in the wild

Status

Vulnerable

Identification

Reindeer differ from other northern deer in their broad spreading hooves and frequent female antlers, while Svalbard animals are notably short-legged and compact. Both sexes possess a dense double coat, providing excellent insulation in cold climates. Their pelage color varies seasonally and individually, ranging from dark brown to greyish-white.