Discover the Incredible Adaptations That Help Reindeer Thrive in the Arctic

Reindeer are a species of deer also known as caribou in certain regions. They are found in the Arctic tundra and boreal forests. Finland is home to a small population of woodland reindeer. Following a successful reintroduction in the Cairngorms, they are also found in Scotland.

With reindeer living in some of the harshest Arctic environments in the world, let’s dive into how they survive.

How Reindeer Survive in the Arctic

Reindeers survive in the Arctic thanks to a series of adaptations that allow them to survive frigid temperatures and long winters where food is scarce. Temperatures in the Arctic routinely fall below zero, with snowy and frozen terrain. So, just how exactly does a reindeer survive in the Arctic’s extreme cold? There are several explanations for this.

Antlers

An active layer of permafrost is the only layer of soil that can support plant life in the Arctic tundra, which lacks adequate soil layers like those seen in temperate grassland. The further north you go, the smaller the active layer you have and the less growth you can expect. Tundra soil can be anywhere from 10 to 40 inches deep (25 to 100 cm)!

The antlers of reindeer are used to scrape away snow and burrow through the soil in search of food. Among deer species, reindeer antlers are the largest, and they are also unique in that they are present on both male and female reindeer. Every year, reindeer antlers shed their old antlers to grow new antlers for the upcoming seasons and conditions they must face.

Fur

Tundra temperatures often hover around -28°C (-18.4°F) throughout the coldest months of the year, with severe lows of -70°C (-94°F) being common. Temperatures rise to their highest points in July and August when they can reach as high as 16°C (60°F). Conditions here are harsh, and survival requires specific adaptations. Reindeer have an ultra-fine and dense underfur with a shaggy upper layer. The outer hairs are hollow, like the fur of a polar bear, and provide insulation.

Nose

The reindeer nose is not only furry, but it has a unique warming process going on inside. The air a reindeer breathes is heated as they inhale and cooled as they exhale, causing water vapor to condense before being released into the atmosphere. This keeps them warm and even creates a pinkish-red tinge on their noses, much like Rudolph!

Vision

The arctic tundra often lacks sunshine. Summer days last 24 hours, yet the sun remains low on the horizon. During the winter, the opposite occurs, and the entire landscape is dark. Reindeer eyes are sensitive to ultraviolet light to cope with the long, dark Arctic winters and improve vision.

Tendons and Hooves

As a reindeer walks, the tendons in the foot joint make a clicking sound. These noises help herds keep together in limited visibility. They also have two toes with large claws attached that extend outward. These hooves distribute their weight and provide traction as well as assist in digging for food.

What Do Reindeer Eat In the Arctic?

There is little food for animals to eat in the Arctic. Reindeer utilize their powerful hooves and antlers to sift through snow and ice and eat foods such as:

• Grasses
• Bushes
• Lichen
• Sedges
• Birch
• Willow

The bacteria and protozoans in the stomach of a reindeer break down lichen compounds into sugars that the animals use for sustenance. Reindeer need a lot of food to survive a long winter. A reindeer can eat up to twenty pounds of food each day! For many reindeer to survive in the wild, this lichen is necessary.

Where Do Reindeer Live in the Arctic

Reindeer live in the Arctic tundra (a frigid treeless plain) and the northern boreal woodlands that border the tundra.

This type of biome is found in Alaska, Canada’s Northern Coast and islands, Coastal Greenland, Iceland, Northern Europe (Scandinavia), Svalbard (an island north of Norway), and much of Russia’s Northern Coast and Siberia.

Reindeer Population in the Arctic

Although reindeer still exist in the Arctic, their numbers have been dropping drastically over the past few decades- a 56% drop to be exact. This is because of a variety of factors, such as poaching, sickness, food shortages, and climate change.

Caribou play a vital role in Arctic ecosystems by helping to cycle nutrients and shape plant groups. Many caribou herds are in decline around the Arctic.

A healthy caribou population reflects a healthy boreal ecology. By safeguarding its environment, we can not only save this species and a slew of others, but we can also do our part to combat global warming and protect tundra environments.