Reindeer are plant-eaters that change their diet with the seasons. In winter they rely heavily on lichens under the snow, and in summer they graze a wide variety of green plants.
Wild reindeer foods
Wild reindeer mainly eat:
- Grasses, sedges, herbs, and leafy weeds during the snow‑free months.
- Leaves and twigs of shrubs and trees such as willow and birch.
- Lichens (“reindeer moss”), mosses, and fungi, especially in late fall and winter when other plants are scarce.
Winter versus summer diet
In summer, reindeer graze soft, juicy vegetation to build up fat reserves, focusing on grasses, herbs, shrubs, and leafy plants. In winter, they paw through snow to reach lichens and any remaining dried grasses or twigs, using these high‑energy foods to survive the cold when little else is available.
Captive and farmed reindeer
On farms or in captivity, reindeer are often fed good-quality hay or alfalfa plus special reindeer feed or grain-based pellets. They may also receive safe treats such as apples, other non‑acidic fruits, or small amounts of vegetables, but their main diet still needs to be forage and formulated feed suited to their sensitive digestion.
