Rocky, Red and Rose

Reindeer look a lot like their wild North American cousins, the caribou, but are somewhat shorter.

The fur coat consists of an outer layer of straight, hollow, tubular hairs which provide insulation from the cold and buoyancy in water, and a woolly undercoat.

Both male and female (uniquely) reindeer grow antlers each year. The antlers grow rapidly and during this period the reindeer are said to be "in velvet". The antlers are finished growing in August, harden, and the "velvet" is vigorously rubbed off. The bulls then begin to rut.

They have large, spreading feet for traveling well in snow and are also used to dig for food underneath snow. Their hooves become hard and sharp in cold weather.

Reindeer have furry (not red!) noses.