Discover the Epic Journeys of Reindeer: Nature’s Long-Distance Migrators

While deer species aren’t known for their seasonal migrations, they are famous for their big appetites. Deer love food and will go to great lengths to eat their preferred meals. Reindeer, in particular, move around a lot. In fact, they’re one of the world’s greatest migrators.

How Far Do Reindeer Migrate?

Reindeer are meandering animals. In fact, some reindeer migrate the farthest of any terrestrial animal. Reindeer can trek north over 600 miles when summer begins and then move south again for winter, although the exact distance varies among different populations. They can cover as much as 3000 miles in any given migration season.

When females give birth, they carefully choose the place where they’ll have their calf. Researchers have noted that this is why herds follow a female during their seasonal migrations. Some Canadian species of reindeer cover thousands of miles, while others in Europe have far shorter movements. Interestingly, even island species make regional treks.

Why Do Reindeer Migrate?

Reindeer live in the northernmost parts of the world, where winter temperatures can drop to -40 degrees. These arctic climates make it a necessity for the reindeer to migrate if they want to survive. They may be able to survive the cold, but their food cannot.

Essentially, they’ve evolved to instinctually migrate when summer arrives and winter begins or vice versa. They spend the winters in the forest down south, and when the snow stops falling, they commence the great migration north. Herds of up to 400,000 animals congregate and move towards their destinations.

Interestingly, reindeer have regions that they visit to give birth every year. A bit like salmon, they revisit this same place every migration they complete. This makes their paths somewhat predictable, although general reindeer populations don’t move more than necessary.

Facts About Reindeer Migration

One of the primary motivators of reindeer treks is the lack of food that comes with winter. During summers, they migrate to the northernmost parts of the world, which usually feature plains. There, they feed primarily on grass, mushrooms, and other plants. However, when winter approaches, they begin their migration south and start relying more on lichen.

Moreover, reindeer migrate an average of 12 to 34 miles per day and can run at speeds of up to 50 mph, even when they weigh up to 300 kg. These powerhouses of energy have become well-known in many countries, like Canada.

Oddly, reindeer don’t migrate at an established date. It’s wholly impossible to predict when they’ll start moving, as even the latest research hasn’t figured out all the reasons for their migration. The length of days, which shorten in winter and lengthen in summer, is one factor. However, the depth of snow, amounts of rain, and other weather patterns also influence their movements.