Common name: Reindeer
Scientific name: Rangifer tarandus
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
At the zoo: Rylai (female, 10y), Raina (female, 11y), and Vixen (female, 12y) - look for them just east of the hippo habitat.
Habitat:
Reindeer are native to northern parts of North America and Eurasia, typically found in woodland, tundra and mountain habitats.
Diet:
Reindeer eat lichen, leaves, roots, tubers, mushrooms, and bark.
Median Life Expectancy:
20 years
Biology:
Reindeer are the only members of the deer family where both males and females have antlers. They are excellent swimmers capable of swimming up to 10km/h. Their fur is composed of hollow hairs which help them stay warm and help them float in water.
Caribou and reindeer are classified as the same species. In Europe and Asia they are known as reindeer. In North America both terms are used, however, the wild population is usually referred to as caribou. Some sub-species, like the woodland caribou, are endangered.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that the world's largest caribou herd lived by the George River in Quebec? It once had up to 900,000 caribou!
