All About Reindeer

Reindeer are one of the world's most northerly living large mammals that are found inhabiting parts of North America, Europe and Asia that stretch into the Arctic Tundra and further towards the North Pole. Also known as Caribou, Reindeer have adapted perfectly to the freezing conditions that surround them.

Reindeer have special hooves that adapt to the changing Arctic seasons and go from being sponge-like to give them more surface area on the damp, soft ground in the summer, to exposing the rims of their hooves in the winter which helps them to cut into the ice and therefore prevent the animal from slipping.

Along with having specially adapted hooves, the fur of the Reindeer consists of two layers including a thick and woolly undercoat and a longer haired overcoat that is comprised of hollow, air-filled hairs that help to keep their bodies warm in the bitter Arctic winters.

Reindeer inhabit the Arctic Tundra in large herds that can contain thousands of individuals, feeding and migrating together along with providing protection in numbers from their numerous predators which include Arctic Wolves, Brown Bears and Polar Bears, but also people who hunt them for their meat and skins.

The Reindeer travels further than any other land mammal in the world and can cover vast distances in search of fresh grazing. Travelling at speeds of up to 50 mph, a single Reindeer is able to clock-up as many as 3,000 miles in just one year with the most extensive migrations occurring in the spring and autumn which coincide with the most dramatic climatic changes.