25 facts about reindeer - beautiful animals in the mountains

Do you know these facts about reindeer? The reindeer is an animal with a long tradition in our country, and at Christmas time, you can perhaps also hope to see Santa's reindeer. But do you know how reindeer find food in winter and what makes them different from all other deer?

Encounters with reindeer

When you live in Scandinavia, it's not unlikely that you've encountered reindeer at some point, even if we don't encounter them here in Stockholm right away. However, we saw many reindeer on our motorhome trip in northern Sweden in 2010 (oh how long ago!) - they crossed the road in front of the motorhome and walked around at least one of the campsites. We also saw reindeer when we more recently visited beautiful Bodö in Norway. Cosy to meet these beautiful animals! What are your experiences with reindeer?

Facts about reindeer

Here we have gathered a number of interesting facts about reindeer. We are of course not experts on reindeer, but we have spent a lot of time searching for information. Sometimes different sources give slightly different facts about reindeer, and we have done our best to find information that seems consistent and reliable. Enjoy!

1. Reindeer are found on three continents

Reindeer are found in the northernmost parts of the North, in northern Russia and in North America, meaning they are found on three continents. The North American wild caribou is known to make long seasonal migrations in large herds.

2. there are different subspecies of reindeer - some of which are on different islands

There are several different subspecies of reindeer, and most are distinguished by size or by the colour of their fur. For example, reindeer are found on various islands and remote locations, such as Greenland, Svalbard and Ellesmere Island in Arctic Canada.

3. Svalbard reindeer have short legs

In Svalbard there is also a subspecies of reindeer that differs from others in that it has shorter legs. The Svalbard reindeer is a separate subspecies, most closely related to the reindeer of Greenland.

4. Wild reindeer used to live in Sweden

It is believed that there were wild reindeer in Sweden, both forest and mountain reindeer, until the end of the 19th century. Reindeer were found in large herds throughout northern Sweden, and were hunted. In 1879 measures were taken to protect wild reindeer, but by this time there were probably not many wild reindeer left and today the species is considered nationally extinct.

5. Reindeer have existed on Gotland

In the 18th century, reindeer were transported to Gotland and Gotska Sand Island. It is not known whether the reindeer were wild or domesticated, and the last of these reindeer were shot in the early 1800s.

6. Wild reindeer are found in several places

Although wild reindeer are no longer found in Sweden, they are found in several other places in the world. Wild reindeer are found in Russia, in northern parts of North America and on some Arctic islands. There are also wild reindeer in Norway.

7. Reintroduction of wild reindeer in Sweden has been discussed

The reintroduction of wild reindeer has been discussed on several occasions. The arguments have centred on biodiversity and the fact that wild reindeer could serve as both hunting prey and a tourist attraction.

8. both bulls and cows have horns

The reindeer, which is the only species in the genus 'Rangifer', is the only deer in which both sexes have horns. The bull's crown reaches 50 to 130 centimetres and weighs up to 15 kilograms, while the cow's crown only reaches 20 to 50 centimetres.

9. Bulls shed their horns before the cows.

Bulls shed their horns after the autumn rut. The older animals can shed their horns as early as December and the younger ones in February. Cows keep their horns all winter and shed them only after calving.

10. Dear reindeer has many names

Among reindeer, the male is called a bull or sarv. If the male is castrated, it may be called a herd. The female is called a cow, vaja or simla. Several of these words (sarv, vaja and härk) are loan words from the Sami language.

11. The colour of reindeer can vary

Reindeer often have a dark grey-brown colour, but the shade can vary, especially in domesticated reindeer. Reindeer are also lighter in winter than in summer, as the colour helps to protect them from predators. There is also a certain subspecies of reindeer that is almost white in colour all year round.

12. Reindeer fur is a good insulator

The reindeer's fur consists of hairs that are partly made up of hollow air cells, which provide excellent protection against the cold. In addition, reindeer have a dense and warm undercoat.

13. A snapping sound is heard when the reindeer are walking.

When the reindeer walks, a snapping sound is heard. This is caused by a tendon attachment in the hind leg that slides over a bone, producing a sound. It is not clear what the significance of the sound is, but it may make it easier for reindeer to stay together in darkness and fog.

14. Reindeer use their hooves to find food in the snow.

Reindeer have hard, two-part hooves that are good for travelling over hard and stony ground. The hooves are also good for digging food out of the snow in winter.

15. Reindeer have a well-developed sense of smell.

The reindeer's sense of smell is very well developed and helps the animal find food, such as lichens, under the thick snow.

16. Reindeer like mushrooms

The reindeer is a ruminant herbivore and eats many types of plants, such as grasses, lichens, rootstocks, deciduous rice and various herbs. They are also fond of mushrooms, such as mushrooms, rice husks and creams.

17. A newborn reindeer calf can walk soon after birth.

Reindeer mating season occurs between September and October, and calves are born between April and June. The newborn calves, which weigh between 4 and 6 kilos at birth, are able to stand and walk just a few hours after birth.

18. Reindeer get older than bulls

Reindeer (vajors) can live up to 20 years, and sometimes even longer. Dukes (castrated reindeer) can also live to be old, while bulls (sows) have a much shorter lifespan.

19. Reindeer are fast

Reindeer often travel long distances and can run fast when needed. Reindeer can run at 80 km/h.

20. Reindeer are exposed to many different hazards

Reindeer can be killed by landslides and avalanches, and if the ice crust on the ground hardens in winter, they risk starving to death because they can't access food under the snow. There are also predators that can kill reindeer, such as wolves, wolverines, lynx and bears. Humans can also pose a threat.

21. Humans hunted reindeer already in prehistoric times

In prehistoric times, reindeer were much further south than they are today, and spearheads made from reindeer horn have been found in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in France, which are between 12,000 and 15,000 years old. Reindeer are also depicted in a total of 20 out of 133 painted caves in France and in three out of 72 caves in Spain.

22. Reindeer husbandry has a long history

There are historical sources indicating that the Sami were domesticating reindeer as early as the 9th century, although the extent is not known. Reindeer husbandry also has a long history in Siberia. In Alaska, Canada and Greenland, reindeer husbandry only arrived in the 19th century.

23. All parts of the reindeer could be used

Domesticated reindeer have traditionally been used as meat animals, but also for milk production and cheese making. The skin could be used for leather and the bones could be used to make tools. Stomachs have also been used as vessels for food and some tendons were used for sewing fur and leather.

24. In some places, reindeer have been used for riding.

In many different reindeer-herding cultures, reindeer have been used as draught and pack animals. In some cultures, reindeer have also been used for riding, including by the Siberian indigenous Evenk people.

25. In Sweden, reindeer herding takes place from Idre to the north.

Reindeer husbandry in Sweden today takes place from Idre in the south to Karesuando in the north. Swedish legislation (the Reindeer Husbandry Act) limits reindeer husbandry to those who are members of one of Sweden's Sami villages. Reindeer migration is controlled by the Sami using helicopters, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.

More fun facts about reindeer

• Santa's reindeer are the reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh. In American culture they tend to fly and the names of the eight reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a popular Christmas story about Rudolph the reindeer who is teased for his red muzzle, but then gets the honour of being harnessed to Santa's sleigh.
• Clean on the plate is not entirely uncommon. For example, how about reindeer caviar, reindeer steak or souvas (salted and lightly smoked reindeer meat)?

More facts about reindeer?

Do you know any more interesting facts about reindeer? Or perhaps you can share some exciting reindeer stories?

All images in the reindeer facts post are borrowed from Pixabay, except for the header image and the image under the heading "Encounters with reindeer" which are our own.