Are Reindeer Really Deer? Exploring Their Evolution and Distinct Features

To this day, confusion abounds about whether reindeer are deer. The truth is that deer and reindeer are closely related. All reindeer are deer, but not the other way around.

Keep on reading to learn more about their differences and how they evolved to be unique!

Are Reindeer Actual Deer?

We usually call deer any member of the Cervidae family, of which there are more than 43 species. Reindeer are one of the species of deer, which in turn has 10 subspecies of its own. We can then say that yes, reindeer are, in fact, deer. 

This does not mean that they are the same thing, however. Reindeer have many peculiarities that set them apart from the rest. Most of these traits developed as a way to endure the harsh conditions of the Arctic tundra and boreal forests.

How To Tell a Deer From a Reindeer

The easiest way to tell a reindeer from a deer is the climate it inhabits; deer are creatures accustomed to temperate climates, while reindeer evolved to thrive in freezing environments. This means that if you find yourself in colder regions like Siberia, you will likely spot reindeer instead of regular deer.

Another quick way to know if you are dealing with a reindeer is by checking its antlers. Reindeer antlers tend to be massive compared to the animal’s body, while regular deer have a more balanced antler-to-body ratio. They also characteristically branch in groups, clearly separating the top from the bottom. In contrast, regular deer antlers are pointier and branch slightly more horizontally.

You will also notice that reindeer have different legs: they are stockier, and their hooves are larger and split in such a way that allows for more effortless movement in difficult terrain. Of course, these are not the only things that make reindeer unique.

Reindeer vs. Deer: How Different Are They?

Generally, reindeer are not too different from deer when it comes to their behavior, except for one crucial aspect: reindeer are the only species of deer to be successfully domesticated. Scandinavian and Russian natives have used these animals for transportation, food, and sustenance for centuries. Deer, on the other hand, are far more skittish and reluctant to be domesticated, which means almost every single deer you encounter will be wild.

Apart from the social aspects, reindeer differ from regular deer in certain physical qualities. For starters, reindeer evolved to be cold hardy, a characteristic clearly reflected in their fur, which is denser and somewhat coarser than a regular deer’s. Another survival mechanism unique to reindeer is their nose. They have a particular bone structure, where their turbinate bones allow them to heat incoming air before it reaches their lungs.

One of the most noticeable differences between deer and reindeer is that reindeer are the only type of deer in which the females grow antlers. In all other subspecies of deer, only the males grow antlers, which they use primarily in competition and defense against predators. In the case of reindeer, it is believed females have antlers to help them scavenge for food in the snow.

How Did Reindeer Evolve?

The reindeer we know today started taking form millions of years ago. In fact, it is believed that reindeer shared a common ancestor with humans during the dinosaur age, nearly 100 million years ago!

The major shifts in reindeer evolution happened during the last Ice Age when the Northern Hemisphere became covered in massive ice sheets, and animals had to either adapt or leave. This is when mountain deer start to change biologically to survive the extreme conditions of the world, acquiring many of the traits we see today on reindeer.

Reindeer were domesticated by humans around 3,000 years ago, and since then, they have helped native populations in the Arctic survive and prosper against all odds. Their defining characteristics have made them unique in the animal kingdom and are the reason they can survive comfortably today in Earth’s coldest regions.