12 Amazing Facts About Reindeer That Will Surprise You

These majestic animals have many incredible features, from their ability to see ultraviolet light to their unique seasonal hooves. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or just curious about nature, here are 12 amazing facts about reindeer that will leave you in awe.

1. Are Reindeer and Caribou the Same?

Many people use the words "reindeer" and "caribou" interchangeably, but scientists suggest they might not be exactly the same. While both belong to the species Rangifer tarandus, there are some differences.

Reindeer: Mostly found in northern Europe and Asia, where they have been domesticated for centuries.

Caribou: Native to North America and are typically wild, migrating over long distances.

Some experts believe that reindeer are simply a domesticated version of caribou. But regardless of what you call them, they are closely related and share many of the same characteristics.

2. Their Hooves Change with the Seasons

Reindeer have an incredible adaptation that helps them survive in harsh environments—their hooves change shape with the seasons!

Winter: Their footpads shrink and tighten, exposing the sharp edges of their hooves. This helps them grip ice and snow, making it easier to walk in slippery conditions.

Summer: Their footpads become soft and sponge-like, giving them better traction on the soft tundra.

This seasonal hoof transformation is a rare feature among animals and is essential for their survival in extreme climates.

3. Female Reindeer Have Antlers, Too!

Unlike most deer species, both male and female reindeer grow antlers. This is an unusual trait among the deer family.

Males: Grow large antlers (up to 50 inches long) and use them to fight other males for dominance. They shed their antlers in late fall or early winter.

Females: Keep their antlers throughout winter, which helps them defend food sources during pregnancy. They shed their antlers in spring.

Since Santa’s reindeer are usually depicted with antlers in December, some people joke that his team must actually be female reindeer!

4. Reindeer Have Hollow Hair for Warmth

Living in freezing temperatures requires special adaptations, and reindeer have a secret weapon—their hollow fur.

Their fur consists of tubular hairs that trap air, creating an insulating layer to keep them warm.

This hollow structure also makes them buoyant, which helps them swim more efficiently.

This feature is why reindeer often appear lighter in color than other deer, as their fur reflects more light.

5. They Can Swim Like Olympic Athletes

Reindeer might not be able to fly like Santa’s magical sleigh-pullers, but they are excellent swimmers.

Their hollow fur makes them light and buoyant, helping them stay afloat.

They can swim up to 6 mph—about as fast as Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps!

Even young reindeer calves can swim across rivers more than a mile wide.

During migration, reindeer cross large bodies of water, including the Yukon River, which is half a mile wide in some places.

6. Reindeer Are the World’s Greatest Travelers

Some reindeer undertake the longest land migrations of any mammal.

North American reindeer can travel over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) every year.

They migrate in large herds, sometimes with hundreds of thousands of individuals moving together.

On an average day, a reindeer can cover about 23 miles.

This long-distance migration helps them find food, avoid predators, and survive extreme weather.

7. They Can See Ultraviolet Light

Reindeer have super vision that allows them to see things that humans cannot.

Unlike people, who see light in the visible spectrum (400-700 nanometers), reindeer can see ultraviolet (UV) light (as low as 320 nanometers).

This helps them spot predators, food, and obstacles in the bright Arctic environment, where snow can make everything look white and reflective.

Their ability to see UV light gives them a huge survival advantage in snowy landscapes.

8. Reindeer Calves Are Born Runners

Reindeer babies, called calves, are incredibly fast right from birth.

Within 90 minutes of being born, they can run as fast as an Olympic sprinter.

Just a few hours later, they can keep up with the herd, running up to 50 mph during migration.

This ability helps them escape predators and survive in the wild. Unlike other deer species, which rely on hiding for protection, reindeer calves depend on their speed.

9. Reindeer Calves Don’t Have Spots

Most baby deer are born with white spots to help them blend into their environment. But reindeer calves are born without spots.

Why? Because they don’t need camouflage! Their ability to run at full speed shortly after birth means they don’t have to rely on hiding from predators.

10. Reindeer Milk is Extremely Rich

Reindeer produce some of the most nutritious milk in the animal kingdom.

It contains 22% fat and 10% protein, making it much richer than cow’s milk (which has 3-4% fat).

Because of its high fat content, reindeer milk is sometimes used to make cheese in Nordic countries.

However, reindeer can only be milked for about two cups of milk per day, so it’s not commonly consumed by humans.

11. Eat Lichen to Survive

During the cold winter months, food is scarce, so reindeer rely on a special type of plant called lichen for survival.

Their favorite food is Cladonia rangiferina, also known as reindeer moss.

This lichen is high in carbohydrates, vitamins, and proteins, making it an excellent food source.

Reindeer can even smell lichen under the snow and use their sharp hooves to dig it up.

This diet helps reindeer get the energy they need to survive in freezing temperatures.

12. Male Reindeer Aren’t Called Bucks

Unlike other deer species, male reindeer aren’t called bucks. Instead, they have names similar to cattle:

Males are called bulls.

Females are called cows.

Babies are called calves.

A group of reindeer is called a herd.

This unusual naming system makes reindeer unique among deer species.

Final Thoughts

Reindeer are truly amazing animals with some of the most unique adaptations in the natural world. From their UV vision to their shape-shifting hooves, they are built for survival in the Arctic.

Next time you see Santa’s reindeer, remember—these real-life animals are just as magical as the stories say!