What Reindeer Are Really Like

A Local Explains

One of the things visitors are naturally curious about in Lapland is reindeer.

“Are they wild animals, or are they basically like farm animals?”

The answer is somewhere in between.

The reindeer you see around Lapland aren't usually standing behind fences. They roam freely through forests, across open land and sometimes straight through villages and along roads.

But that doesn't mean they don't belong to anyone. Reindeer herding is part of life in northern Finland, and the animals are owned by reindeer herders even though they spend much of their time moving freely across large areas.

And they certainly don't behave like pets.

Well... except that they sometimes seem to think our yard belongs to them too.

Our dogs tend to have a different opinion about that.

You start recognising them

One of the funny things about living around reindeer is that, after a while, you start recognising some of them.

There are three big, impressive male reindeer that I've been seeing around our area for years.

They're often together.

Sometimes they have a couple of new friends with them, but sooner or later the newcomers disappear and those same three are still there.

If there are dozens of reindeer together, telling them apart isn't easy. But with smaller groups, you begin to notice differences in their antlers, size, colouring and appearance.

I wouldn't go as far as saying I recognise their personalities.

But I definitely know some of them by sight.

Are reindeer tame?

People sometimes assume reindeer are tame because they've seen photographs of them standing close to people.

Usually, that's not how it works.

Reindeer that roam freely normally keep their distance from people. They aren't animals you simply walk up to, and they certainly don't behave like pets.

Some reindeer are much more accustomed to people. You might meet those animals at a reindeer farm or during certain activities.

At Your Lapland, we work with friends who are local reindeer herders. If you'd like to meet reindeer up close and learn more about their way of life, you can join our Reindeer Farm & Sled Riding experience.

But a reindeer you come across in the forest or beside a road is different.

If it doesn't want you nearby, it will leave.

And that's how it should be.

Why do you often see reindeer beside the road?

One thing that often surprises visitors is how comfortable reindeer can seem around roads.

They usually keep their distance from people, but a passing car is different. Sometimes you can drive surprisingly close to a reindeer while it calmly continues walking along the roadside.

They're used to seeing traffic, especially in areas where roads cross their usual routes.

In summer, there's another reason you may see them there.

Mosquitoes.

The open areas around roads tend to have more wind, which can give reindeer some relief from insects. They can also find plenty of grass and other vegetation along the roadside.

That can make driving in Lapland interesting.

During summer, there can be a lot of reindeer around the roads, so you learn to pay attention.

After years of driving here, you get better at spotting them from a distance. Sometimes you can even start to anticipate what they're likely to do next.

But you never assume.

A reindeer that looks perfectly happy standing beside the road can suddenly decide that the other side looks much more interesting.

So slow down and give it space.

In winter, we generally see fewer reindeer standing along the roadsides.

A visitor sees a reindeer. A local sees that reindeer.

I think this is one of the biggest differences between seeing reindeer for the first time and living around them for years.

When you visit Lapland, you see a reindeer.

And that's exciting.

It should be.

But after living around them for long enough, you start seeing something slightly different.

You recognise certain animals.

Familiar groups.

The places where they tend to appear.

Little habits that repeat from one season to another.

Those three big males I mentioned earlier aren't just three random reindeer anymore.

They're those three again.

And somehow, seeing them return never really gets old.

Let reindeer be reindeer

There's one thing I always think visitors should remember.

Just because a reindeer looks calm doesn't mean it's tame.

You don't need to get closer for a better photograph. You don't need to touch it or try to get its attention.

Give it some space and watch it do whatever it was doing before you arrived.

For me, that's part of what makes seeing reindeer here so special.

They're part of everyday life in Lapland.

But they're still allowed to be reindeer.

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Paul
Born and raised in Lapland · Local Guide, Your Lapland

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