Fun Facts about Reindeers

The name “reindeer” is of Old Norse origin which is derived from the word ‘dry’ meaning ‘animal’. Reindeer reside in the Arctic tundra and the forests of Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, and Canada.

Male reindeer grow to 28 to 53 inches (2.14 meters) and can weigh up to 700 lbs.

Reindeers may not fly but they are fast as they can run up to 80 km per hour and they can live for like 12 – 15 years.

Reindeer are ruminants, as they feed on mosses, herbs, ferns, grasses, and leaves.

They are hunted down for their meat, leather, horns, and even for their blood. They were also used to pull sleighs in the article regions for their muscular power.

 Reindeer and Chilly Climate 

Reindeer spend almost half of their lives in snow, so they’ve developed special adaptations like their hollow fur that helps to trap heat and survive the chilly conditions. Their divided hooves stretch their weight, supporting them to stand on snow.

Reindeer Are Great Swimmers

Their body is built with two layers of hollow hair. Thus, the air-filled hairs float like a cork and they are excellent swimmers too as they migrate in this manner.

Reindeer Change Eye Color

Their eye’s tapetum (the part behind the iris) changes color in the summer and winter from golden to blue. 

Reindeer Antler Facts

Both male and female reminders grow antlers, while in most other deer species, only the males have antlers and unlike horns, antlers fall off and grow back larger each year.

Interesting Facts about Caribou

North American reminders are called ‘Caribou’ and they often migrate over 3,000 miles in a year, which is more than any other land mammal.

Red Nose Reindeer 

Tons of tiny veins circulate warm blood around their nose, to heat up air before it gets to their lungs. Therefore, their nose looks slightly red.