Book 18, Question 57
How Do Reindeer Find Food Under the Snow?
Reindeer find food under the snow by smelling it and digging for it! Even under a foot of snow, they can sniff out their winter snack. Then they scrape the snow away with their hooves and noses.
More fun facts
- The word caribou comes from a Native American word meaning snow shoveler.
- Caribou often paw through snow to find food.
- The underside of each hoof is hollowed like a scoop for digging.
- In years with less snow, wind-blown bare ground makes food easier to find.
- Pregnant females keep their antlers longest, probably to dig more snow for food.
Sources: National Geographic, National Geographic Kids, Smithsonian, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
What does caribou mean?
The word comes from a Native American word meaning snow shoveler.