“You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?”
For many of us, ‘tis the season of carols, eggnog, stockings, and reindeer. And while Rudolph may be the first to come to mind when we picture reindeer, we actually have the same species right here in Canada!
Although they might seem worlds apart, Canada’s beloved caribou are technically the same species as reindeer - Rangifer tarandus.
So what’s the difference, and how did they end up that way?
They may be the same species, but these two animals are very different. Many of these differences stem from their relationship with humans throughout history.
Reindeer in Eurasia were domesticated over 2000 years and although some animals remain in the wild, reindeer is a blanket name that includes both the domesticated and wild populations. In Canada, we refer to them as caribou, and almost all of them are wild; the ones that are not are also referred to as reindeer. Domesticated reindeer tend to be shorter and more stout than our wild caribou, with thicker hair.
Surviving in a northern climate
Rangifer tarandus map from the City of Edmonton
Rangifer tarandus is a member of the deer family. The species is circumpolar, meaning it lives in the northern boreal and arctic regions across the world. Because of the climate of this region, they have adapted a number of evolutionary features to help them survive in the cold.
Both caribou and reindeer have large, wide hooves that provide traction and act as excellent snowshoes in the deep snow. They also help them dig through the snow to access food in the wintertime.
They have specialized noses that warm up the air they breathe before it enters their lungs. The water that condenses from this process helps to keep their mucous membranes moist.
Their fur is very thick, which traps air to keep them warm in harsh weather and buoyant when swimming.
Reindeer are known for their HUGE antlers - the largest of any deer species in proportion to their bodies! AND, it’s not only males that have them - they are the only member of the deer family where the females have antlers as well! These huge antlers help them dig in the snow and soil to find food, attract a mate, and regulate their temperature. Not sure how these differ from horns? Read our Horns vs. Antlers blog here!
Fun Fact: A recent study from researchers at University College London found that reindeer are one of the only mammals that can see UV light! While humans can only see light from the visible portion of the spectrum, to about 400nm, reindeer can actually see a part of the ultraviolet spectrum, to about 320nm. This means that reindeer can easily distinguish white fur, urine, and lichens that show up in greater contrast in the stark white environment.
Cultural Connection
Reindeer and caribou have provided the basis for life for many northern cultures. The meat and fat were used for sustenance, the skins and fur for clothing, bedding, and shelter and the antlers and sinew were used to make tools. Many of these uses are still present today.
Several sub-arctic groups, such as the Sámi and the Nenets, have been herding reindeer for hundreds of years. Domestic reindeer were first introduced to North America in the late 19th century when the American government purchased 1250 reindeer from Siberia and imported them to Alaska. These reindeer were meant to be given to indigenous residents of Alaska. This was a paternalistic effort by the government to transition northern indigenous groups from subsistence-based hunting to a herder lifestyle. The American government also hired a few Sami families and brought them to Alaska to aid in starting the herds. Reindeer herding is still practiced in some cultures today. Communities in Sweden, Finland, and Russia continue to rely on reindeer for income, food, and clothing.
In Canada, caribou also remain an important resource to northern Indigenous communities, and are valued at over $100 million/year. Unfortunately, this livelihood is threatened by the rapid and dramatic declines of caribou across Canada.
Caribou in Canada
Did you know that Alberta has 12 boreal caribou herds and 4 southern mountain herds?
Caribou in Alberta and throughout the rest of Canada have been facing drastic population declines over the past few years, and are listed as vulnerable on the ICUN Red List. Habitat loss and fragmentation, predation, and climate change are all contributing to these declines. Core habitat protection and restoration are one of the best ways we can help our caribou.
Christmas Connection
Did you know?
The connection between reindeers and Christmas stemmed from Clement Clarke Moore’s book Twas the Night Before Christmas, inspired by reindeer who pulled sledges for northern people across the frozen tundra. Indeed, today’s domesticated reindeer continue to act more as beasts of burden than wild animal. Rudolph actually wasn’t introduced until 1939 when Robert L. May wrote a children’s book called “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Rudolph means “famous wolf” in German.
