About
Name: Svalbard Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)
Length: 1.5 to 1.6 metres (4.9 - 5.3 feet)
Weight: 50 to 90 kg (110 - 198 pounds), males being larger
Location: Svalbard
Conservation status: Least concern
Diet: Vegetarian
Appearance: White with darker coloring along their backs and faces
How do Svalbard reindeer feed?
In winter, Svalbard reindeer forage in areas with less snow, like mountain slopes and ridgelines. In summer, they feed extensively to build fat reserves for winter.
Are Svalbard reindeer social?
They form small groups of about five in summer, which may gather in winter due to limited feeding grounds. They are curious about people and may approach slowly before deciding to run or continue feeding.
How fast do Svalbard reindeer move?
They can sprint up to 80 km/h (50 mph) but are generally sedentary, shuffling as they feed.
What are Svalbard reindeer birthing rituals like?
Reaching sexual maturity at three, breeding starts in October. Males form harems of up to ten females. Pregnancy lasts seven months, with calves born in June. Calves grow from 3 kg (6.6 pounds) to 10 kg (22 pounds) in three months.
How long do Svalbard reindeer live?
They live an average of 10 years, with some reaching up to 17 years.
How many Svalbard reindeer are there today?
There are about 10,000 Svalbard reindeer alive today.
Do Svalbard reindeer have any natural predators?
They have no natural predators. Starvation is the main factor controlling their population.
7 sweet Svalbard reindeer facts
- Svalbard reindeer are the smallest subspecies of reindeer.
- Their weight varies significantly between seasons, from 65 kg (143 pounds) in spring to 90 kg (198 pounds) in autumn.
- Their fur lightens in winter.
- Male reindeer grow antlers from April to July, shedding them in early winter. Females grow antlers in June and keep them for a year.
- They are the only reindeer species in Svalbard.
- They were nearly hunted to extinction in the early 1900s but have recovered due to conservation efforts.
- Birth rates vary from 10% to 90% depending on the severity of the previous winter.
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Blog
Blog
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Many of our expedition cruises focus on specific areas of the Arctic or Antarctica, delving deep into local wildlife and other natural highlights. However, some programs aim to provide a broader survey, visiting a variety of sites to offer guests a wider perspective.
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The Enchanting Islands of Svalbard
Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago situated between the North Pole and the Norwegian mainland, offering visitors some of the most stunning wildlife and landscapes in the world. Here we explore seven of the most visited Svalbard islands, highlighting the many wonders that draw people back year after year.
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“The polar bear will still be there”
For several hours, we had been navigating the pack ice in search of polar bears. Despite numerous binoculars scanning the ice, no bears were visible, and only a few tracks were found. This suggested we might be in an area with fewer bears. Later that morning, we decided to head a few miles east, suspecting a higher bear population there.
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Svalbard’s 12 Most Iconic Animals
Each of our Arctic regions offers its own distinct and unforgettable features: Greenland boasts mountainous shorelines and record-setting fjords, Northern Norway is renowned for the aurora borealis and historic masted schooners, and Svalbard (especially Spitsbergen) is where you're most likely to encounter a variety of Arctic wildlife.
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A Bug’s Life in Svalbard
When you think about Svalbard wildlife, you might imagine reindeer, Arctic foxes, polar bears – the primary animal attractions that draw passengers to an Arctic cruise. But in fact, the Svalbard archipelago is a thriving location for over 1,000 species of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates: animals that lack backbones. Despite this richness of life, however, these invertebrates are only found in the Isfjord and Kongsfjord areas of these wonderfully diverse islands.
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Birding Opportunities Abound in Spitsbergen
Seabirds are the most prevalent type of bird in Spitsbergen. Experts have estimated that there are 164 bird species that have been found throughout Spitsbergen at various points during recent history, but only 30 of them are known to turn to the Svalbard Islands as their primary breeding spot.
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Inside the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
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The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain
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The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in Svalbard that hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna.
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Seizing the Season: Spitsbergen’s Late Spring, Early Summer
Most Arctic expedition cruises can be categorized into two main types: those that operate during the autumn and winter, focusing on the northern lights, and those that sail during the high season (mid to late summer), concentrating on a broader range of experiences.
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Svalbard a Disneyland for geologists
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Polar bear feast
The polar bear was relishing his meal; the snow and his face were turning red from the blood. As we observed him eating, our own stomachs began to grumble. It was time for lunch.
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16 Conversation-Starting Svalbard Facts
It might seem odd that an icy, snowy, bear-packed cluster of islands at the edge of the world could be such a hotspot (so to speak) of outdoor tourism.
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Around Spitsbergen vs. North Spitsbergen
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Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen
I watch the sea ice from the bridge of a ship in one of the fjords of Spitsbergen, an archipelago north of Norway. I observe a perfectly adapted animal moving on the ice, the results of hundreds of thousands of years of ecological fine-tuning. Snowshoe-sized paws distribute weight, fur handles the cold and sunlight to perfection, and an incredible sense of smell samples this monochromatic realm.
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Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic
If they knew their way home, why not follow them? Equipped with GPS and compass, we approached the cliffs by zodiac. First, we heard the noise from the colony – the distinct calls of guillemots, kittiwakes, and Glaucous gulls. Then the cliffs gradually emerged from the mist.
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Six Must-See Svalbard Sites
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Spitsbergen: a true polar bear trip
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Svalbard’s Texas Bar
Texas Bar is one of the historic areas we visit on certain Svalbard trips, and it always proves to be a cherished landing site among both our guides and guests. This might be surprising, however, given that its name can be a bit misleading.
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Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts
When we think about reindeer, we might also think of Saami herders or the holidays or teams of these beloved Arctic animals pulling a bell-covered sleigh across the nighttime sky. Only the first of these options, however, is something you're likely to encounter on an Arctic expedition cruise - and that's only in Northern Norway.