Are Reindeer Real? (And Answers to Other Myths)

Santa waving at the camera with a reindeer

As your reigning reindeer experts at Running Reindeer Ranch(opens in a new tab) in Fairbanks, Alaska, we’re here to dispel a few myths about our furry friends! From antlers to eating habits, we have the inside scoop on all things reindeer.

Whether you’re planning a trip north, teaching a class, or just curious about these amazing animals, let’s get the facts straight on the myths that follow Rangifer tarandus around the world.

Are Reindeer Real?

Yes, reindeer are absolutely real! While they are often associated with the mythical flying companions of Santa Claus, they are a very real, highly adapted species of the deer family (Cervidae).

In fact, reindeer were first domesticated between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago along the Russian-Mongolian border. They did not arrive in North America until the 1890s, when Dr. Sheldon Jackson(opens in a new tab) introduced them to western Alaska from Siberia.

Jackson sought to establish a stable food source and private enterprise for Alaska Native populations. At Running Reindeer Ranch(opens in a new tab), our own herd lives in a beautiful five-acre portion of the boreal forest(opens in a new tab), where they roam freely and interact with visitors year-round.

Are Reindeer and Caribou the Same?

Yes, biologically, they are the same species—Rangifer tarandus. However, they are classified as different subspecies, and the primary difference lies in domestication and physical traits:

Naming Conventions: In North America, wild populations are referred to as caribou (such as the barren-ground caribou, Rangifer tarandus granti), while domesticated herds are called reindeer. In Eurasia, the term reindeer is used for both wild and domesticated animals.
Physical Appearance: Selective breeding and domestication have made reindeer shorter, stouter, and more compact with shorter legs than wild caribou, whose longer legs are built for long-distance migration. Reindeer also have flatter face profiles, thicker fur, and can display pinto, spotted, or entirely white coats, which never occur in wild caribou.
Behavior: Reindeer are gregarious and docile. When herded or startled, reindeer bunch up tightly and move in a circular, revolving ball. Wild caribou are highly skittish and scatter in multiple directions.
Breeding Cycles: Reindeer begin their breeding season (the rut) two to four weeks earlier than caribou, meaning reindeer calves are born in late April, while caribou calves are born in late May or early June.

Do Female Reindeer Have Antlers?

Yes! Reindeer and caribou are the only deer species where both males (bulls) and females (cows) grow antlers.

Antlers are made of fast-growing solid bone and are shed and regrown annually. Interestingly, males and females shed their antlers on different biological timelines:

Male Antlers: Bulls shed their antlers in late autumn or early winter (December or January) after the mating season.
Female Antlers: Pregnant females retain their antlers throughout the winter and only shed them about five days after they give birth in the spring.

This evolutionary adaptation is crucial for survival. Because antlered reindeer are dominant over antlerless ones, keeping their antlers through the winter allows pregnant females to defend their dug-out snow pits (feeding craters) and secure prime access to food.

Do Reindeer Eat Carrots?

Actually, no! This is one of the biggest holiday myths of all.

Reindeer do not eat carrots in the wild, and they physically struggle to eat them. Reindeer are ruminants with a four-chambered stomach, and they do not have any incisor teeth on their upper jaw.

Because they lack upper front teeth, they cannot bite into hard root vegetables like carrots. Instead, their natural diet consists of soft vegetation:

In Summer: They forage on nutrient-rich willow leaves, sedges, grasses, and mushrooms.
In Winter: They survive almost exclusively on lichen (often called reindeer moss), scraping away snow with their broad, shovel-shaped hooves to find it.

Leaving lichen out on Christmas Eve is a much more biologically accurate treat for a reindeer!

Can Reindeer Fly?

While they can’t take to the sky, they do have a few biological “superpowers” that make them look like they are flying through the Arctic:

Hollow Hair Insulation: Their thick fur coat contains hollow guard hairs that trap air, providing incredible thermal insulation and allowing them to float high in the water when swimming across wide rivers.
Broad “Snowshoe” Hooves: Reindeer have expansive, broad hooves and large dewclaws that act as snowshoes, preventing them from sinking into deep snow or mud.
The Clicking Sound: When reindeer walk, they make a distinct clicking noise. This is not their hooves hitting the ground; rather, it is a tendon sliding over the wrist and foot bones as they flex. This click helps herd members locate one another and maintain cohesion during blinding blizzards.

Is Rudolph Male or Female?

Biologically speaking, Rudolph is most likely a girl!

As we established, male reindeer lose their antlers in late fall (typically by December), leaving them antlerless during the winter. Pregnant female reindeer, however, keep their antlers all winter long until their calves are born in the spring.

Since historical depictions, books, and songs always show Rudolph guiding Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve with a full set of antlers, Rudolph would have to be a female to sport those antlers on December 24th!

Come Walk with Our Herd!

Now that you know the real science behind the myths, come meet these incredible animals in person! Join us at Running Reindeer Ranch(opens in a new tab) for an immersive, guided Reindeer Walk(opens in a new tab) through our magical birch forest. You can amble alongside our free-roaming herd, play reindeer games, and learn even more from our resident naturalists.

Spaces sell out quickly, so be sure to check our Frequently Asked Questions(opens in a new tab) and reserve your spot ahead of time!