While there are some distinct differences between the subgroups of the North American caribou, no doubt due to their native habitat, European reindeer are no different than North American reindeer. The caribou migration is an adaptation to survival in a hostile environment. The migration ensures a continuous food supply by not overgrazing the tundra regions which have a very low recovery rate. Moving to the ‘calving ground’ where there are few predators ensures the maximum survival of the calf crop. In the summer they move to higher ground where there is more wind, to escape the biting insects that can literally plague caribou to death. Caribou and reindeer are extremely sensitive to touch which may be an adaptation to the insects. It seems an insect only needs to land on their hair coat and they are trying to shake it off. Because of this reindeer do not seem to be ‘touchy feely’ like even the wild deer can be. They may like to ‘hang’ with you but they seldom invite touching or patting. Although caribou are wild animals and reindeer are tame or domestic, the caribou possess the same sociable personality that the reindeer have. The woodland caribou is slightly bigger and perceptibly stronger than the average reindeer, but essentially behave no differently in the domestic situation.

Page updated April 2006