Quick answer
Reindeers feed on lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Arctic tundra, boreal forest, and mountain plateaus. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Key takeaway
Reindeers feed on lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Arctic tundra, boreal forest, and mountain plateaus. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Reindeer diet overview
Reindeers (Rangifer tarandus) are best summarised as Herbivore — lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms. Anatomy and habitat (Arctic tundra, boreal forest, and mountain plateaus) decide whether they hunt, graze, filter, scavenge, or mix strategies across the year.
How reindeers find food
Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel. Young animals may eat different items or receive food from parents.
Reindeer role in the food web
As herbivores shaping plants and seeds, reindeers move nutrients and influence prey or vegetation.
Feeding and human conflict
Never feed wild reindeers. Habituation raises injury risk and can lead to lethal management. Captive diets must match species needs, not generic pet food rules.
Epic migration
Some barren-ground caribou herds travel over 5,000 km annually between calving grounds and winter range — the longest terrestrial migration on Earth. Calving synchrony on Arctic tundra overwhelms predators, but warming disrupts timing and insect harassment increases.
Antlers on females
Reindeer are the only deer where females commonly grow antlers. Cows retain theirs through winter, while bulls shed after the rut. Antlers are used for digging through snow for lichens — critical winter food called reindeer moss.
Sources
Reindeer FAQs
What do reindeers eat?
Reindeers feed on lichens, grasses, leaves, and mushrooms, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Arctic tundra, boreal forest, and mountain plateaus. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
What is the scientific name of the reindeer?
Rangifer tarandus — used in research and conservation listings for reindeers.
Where do reindeers live?
They are associated with Arctic tundra, boreal forest, and mountain plateaus. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of reindeers?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.