Rangifer

Rangifer is a genus of deer in the family Cervidae. The best-known member is Rangifer tarandus, commonly called reindeer in Eurasia and caribou in North America. The species has numerous subspecies and seasonal forms, and wild and domesticated populations are found across circumpolar Arctic and subarctic regions.

Rangifer tarandus ranges across tundra and boreal habitats from western Europe and Siberia to North America. Large migratory herds move seasonally to access forage, calving grounds, and winter lichens. In Eurasia, domesticated reindeer have been herded for centuries, while many wild populations persist in remote ecosystems.

Physical characteristics: Adults vary widely in size by sex and subspecies, but are generally stocky with a thick fur coat. Both sexes grow antlers annually, though sizes and shedding timing vary by population. The distinctive winter coat and a specialized digestive system enable efficient processing of lichens and other low-nutrition forage during cold seasons.

Diet and ecology: They are herbivores, feeding on lichens, grasses, leaves, and bark, with seasonal shifts in diet. Predators include wolves and bears; human hunting and competition for habitat have shaped distribution and abundance. They form social groups and undertake large-scale migrations that connect breeding, calving, and feeding areas.

Conservation: IUCN lists Rangifer tarandus as Least Concern globally, but several subspecies and regional populations are threatened or endangered due to climate change, habitat loss, and unsustainable hunting. Management and protection vary by country, reflecting ecological and cultural contexts.