Little reindeer in a scarf in a snowy forest

About this drawing

A reindeer in a scarf looking like a little explorer is a fun way to meet one of the toughest babies in the Arctic. Reindeer calves are born into a harsh world, yet they get moving almost right away.

Female reindeer give birth in spring, usually to a single calf. Many herds return to the same calving grounds every year, where fresh plants are sprouting after the long winter. A newborn calf weighs only a few pounds more than a large house cat and is covered in soft brown fur.

What is amazing is how fast it gets going. Within a short time it can stand, and by the next day it can follow its mother and even run. That matters because herds are always on the move, looking for food and staying ahead of predators like wolves.

For the first months, the calf drinks its mother's rich milk and gradually starts nibbling grasses, leaves and lichens. By fall it is much bigger and ready for its first winter. Unlike most deer, both male and female reindeer grow antlers, and calves start growing small ones early.

• reindeer
• reindeer calf
• snow
• snowy forest