Food
The diet and eating habit of reindeer changes with the seasons. Reindeer can also get used to foods that are available for them to eat, even when the weather is really cold and terrible.
In the winter, reindeer usually eat a special type of plant called lichen. Lichen is made up of fungus and algae. It grows very slowly, but is a great source of nutrition and energy for the reindeer.
During the fall, lichen doesn't seem to taste as good to reindeer. But mushrooms are growing everywhere, and reindeer love to eat lots of them!
In summer, reindeer eat grass, cotton, bush leaves and twigs, and the bulbs and shoots of plants.
In captivity, domestic reindeer can't go looking for their favorite foods. Instead, they eat alfalfa hay and a type of "reindeer chow" that is made from plants. Reindeers will also eat vegetables, if there is nothing else around to eat.
Something that is interesting is that reindeer will usually eat their horns after shedding! This is because they crave salt and other minerals (which is normal for plant-eating animals).
When reindeers eat in a group they are very noisy, with lots of grunting among the cows and calves.
Source: courtesy of http://reindeers.info/reindeer_articles/reindeer_food_and_diet/
Photo: courtesy of http://mtp.jpl.nasa.gov/images/solve2/fDSCN2381.JPG
