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35 Fascinating Reindeer Facts That May Even Surprise Santa

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There are plenty of stories about Christmas reindeer that can fly or light up foggy nights with bright red noses, but did you ever stop to think if there’s any truth to these stories? Even if reindeer can’t quite fly, these amazing animals have several traits that are pretty magical on their own. 

So, let’s put your knowledge to the test with these true or false questions about reindeer facts that may even surprise Santa.

True or False? Reindeer and Caribou are different animals.

Caribou in the wild
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False

Reindeer and caribou are actually the same animals, although scientists use these names to distinguish whether or not an animal is tame or wild. 

Generally speaking, “reindeer” refers to domesticated deer, while “caribou” is used to describe wild herds of animals.

True or False? Reindeer only live in the North Pole.

Reindeer in the arctic
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False

Reindeer live in arctic and subarctic areas around the world, including North America, Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia. 

True or False? Reindeer only live in the arctic and subarctic regions.

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False

There is a small population of woodland caribou that lives in the Selkirk Mountains of Northern Idaho. The group had a much healthier population in the early 1900s but has become relatively unstable due to climate change and impacts on their territory. 

However, there are consistent efforts to try and help this population grow.

True or False? Reindeer are the only deer species to be domesticated.

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True

People who live in arctic regions around the world have used reindeer as beasts of burden for about 3,000 years. That’s a pretty short amount of time as far as most domesticated animals go. 

Groups of people who have domesticated reindeer include the Sami people of Scandinavia, the Duhka of Mongolia, the Yakut of northern Russia and Indigenous people from northern Canada and Alaska.