How Do Reindeer Find Food Under the Snow?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do reindeer find food under the snow?

The Big Idea

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. What a clever way to find lunch!

Winter Snack

Step one: a winter snack. In winter, reindeer eat lichens, which are small, crusty growths that live on the ground. In North America, reindeer are called caribou. Lichens are not plants. We will meet them again soon!

Sniff It Out

Step two: sniff the snack. Even under a foot of snow, reindeer can smell lichens. Their noses lead them right to the best spots, even though the food is hidden out of sight.

Dig It Out

Step three: dig! Reindeer scrape the snow away with their hooves and noses. Their wide hooves spread out like snowshoes, so they do not sink, and they can click as they walk.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! First, the reindeer sniffs for lichens. Its wide hooves keep it from sinking. It scrapes away the snow. Then it munches on its hidden snack.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Reindeer hooves change shape between summer and winter. In summer they are soft and spongy for wet ground. In winter they harden with sharp rims for ice and digging. Watch wild reindeer from a safe distance, with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Hide small cereal pieces under a layer of flour in a tray. Use your fingers to find them, like a reindeer digging for lichens. Then enjoy the cereal with a grown-up! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Reindeer sniff and dig to find food under the snow. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!