Svalbard Reindeer
Meet the Svalbard reindeer, the smallest species of reindeer, which has evolved to endure freezing temperatures, navigate the Arctic landscape, and find food in extreme conditions.
Facts about Svalbard Reindeer
- Arctic
- Svalbard
Svalbard Reindeer Quick Overview
Scientific Name: Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus
Population: Estimated at 10,000-22,000 in Svalbard
Regions: Arctic tundra, primarily in Svalbard
Destinations: Svalbard (Nordenskiöld Land, Edgeøya, Barentsøya, and other non-glaciated areas)
Average Length: Adult: Males: ~1.6 m (5.2 ft), Females: ~1.5 m (4.9 ft); Newborn: ~80-90 cm (2.6-3 ft)
Average Weight: Adult: Males: ~65 kg (143 lbs) in spring, ~90 kg (198 lbs) in autumn, Females: ~53 kg (117 lbs) in spring, ~70 kg (154 lbs) in autumn; Newborn: ~6 kg (13 lbs)
Diet Habits: Primarily grasses, mosses, lichens, and small Arctic plants. During winter, they rely on stored fat and dig through the snow to find vegetation.
Svalbard Reindeer Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Rangifer
Species: Rangifer tarandus
Subspecies: Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus
Svalbard Reindeer Explorer Passport
English: Svalbard Reindeer
Danish: Svalbard-rensdyr
Chinese: 斯瓦尔巴群岛驯鹿
Swedish: Svalbardsren
Finnish: Huippuvuorten peura
Norwegian: Svalbardrein
Polish: Renifer svalbardzki
Japanese: スバールバルトナカイ
Spanish: Reno de Svalbard
French: Renne du Svalbard
Unlocking the Secrets of the Svalbard Reindeer
What does a Svalbard reindeer look like?
The Svalbard reindeer is short-legged and has a relatively small, rounded head. Its fur is brown on the back and light on the belly, varying between the seasons. In winter, the fur is lighter in colour than in summer, often appearing light grey or yellow-white. The thickness of the coat contributes to the short-legged appearance and makes even starved Svalbard animals appear fat in the winter. Males develop large antlers from April to July and shed their velvet from August to September. They lose their antlers in early winter. Females begin to grow antlers in June, which are usually retained for an entire year.
Where can Svalbard reindeer be found?
The Svalbard reindeer is an endemic subspecies found in most of the non-glaciated regions of Svalbard, including Nordenskiöld Land, Edgeøya, and Barentsøya.
Is the Svalbard reindeer a herbivore?
Yes, Svalbard reindeer only eat vegetation. The Svalbard reindeer diet consists of grasses, mosses, lichens, small Arctic plants and flowers. During summer, they tend to eat as much as possible to store food in their bodies, since access to food is limited and of lower quality during winter, so they depend on their fat accumulation.
How much do Svalbard reindeer weigh?
The Svalbard reindeer is a small subspecies of Rangifer tarandus. Males are larger than females and have larger antlers. The body mass of males is approximately 65 kg in spring and 90 kg in autumn, while the female body mass approximately 53 kg in spring and 70 kg in autumn. The approximate lengths of males and females are 160 cm and 150 cm, respectively.
How long do Svalbard reindeer live?
The Svalbard reindeer lifespan is typically 10–12 years, although some individuals can live up to 15 years in the wild.
Who are the predators of Svalbard reindeer?
The Svalbard reindeer has no natural predators in Svalbard. However, polar bears may occasionally prey on weak or abandoned Svalbard reindeer calve when the opportunity arises.
How fast are Svalbard reindeer?
Svalbard reindeer can run at speeds of 60 to 80 km/h (37 to 50 mph), but this rate is slower than other subspecies, as their shorter stature makes them less agile.
Do Svalbard reindeer live in the Arctic?
Yes, the Svalbard reindeer habitat is one of the most cold-adapted members of the deer family, living in the Arctic tundra all year-round.
How many reindeer are there in the world?
IUCN statistics estimate that there are 2,890,400 reindeer worldwide. However, the Svalbard reindeer population numbers between 10,000 and 22,000, as they live only in the extreme weather conditions of the Svalbard archipelago.
What is the gestation period of a reindeer?
The Svalbard reindeer gestation period lasts about 230 days (7.5 months), giving birth in june of one single calve.
How did the reindeer get to Svalbard?
Reindeers have a circumpolar distribution, with seven subspecies occupying different regions. The Svalbard reindeer likely became isolated from other reindeer populations around 10,000 years ago, developing unique adaptations to survive in the extreme Arctic environment.
How Many of These 10 Svalbard Reindeer Facts Did You Already Know?
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #1:
A Svalbard reindeer adaptations is that they can lose up to 54% of their body weight during winter.
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #2:
The Svalbard reindeer size is the smallest of all subspecies, with a compact body and short legs to conserve heat in the Arctic.
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #3:
Svalbard reindeer adaptations in the tundra include thick fur, a small, thick body, and extremely short limbs, head, legs, ears, and tail.
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #4:
A Svalbard reindeer baby (calf) is born in June, weighing approximately 6 kg (13 lbs).
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #5:
Svalbard reindeer predators are non-existent!
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #6:
As primary consumers in the reindeer food web, Svalbard reindeer help maintain tundra balance by grazing on plants.
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #7:
Reindeers on Svalbard have been isolated for thousands of years, developing unique adaptations.
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #8:
The svalbard reindeer typically form small groups of three to five individuals or live alone.
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #9:
Svalbard reindeer can cover distances of as much as 5000 km annually!
Svalbard Reindeer Fact #10:
Female Svalbard reindeer typically give birth to their calves at the age of three.
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