Reindeer vs. Elk — What's the Difference?

A deer species adapted to cold climates.

A large deer species found in North America.

A domesticated animal used for transport.

A symbol of North American wilderness.

A member of the Cervidae family.

A wild animal often hunted for sport.

A creature in Christmas lore.

Known for impressive antlers.

The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as caribou in North America, is a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to Arctic, subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. This includes both sedentary and migratory populations.

A member of the Cervidae family.

A large deer (Rangifer tarandus) of the Arctic tundra and northern boreal forests, having large hooves and long branched antlers, and widely domesticated in Eurasia. Subspecies native to North America and Greenland are usually called caribou.

The elk (Cervus canadensis), also known as the wapiti, is one of the largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America, as well as Central and East Asia. It is often confused with the larger Alces alces, which is called moose in North America, but called elk in British English, and related names in other European languages (German Elch, Swedish älg, French élan).

(plural: reindeer) Any Arctic and subarctic-dwelling deer of the species Rangifer tarandus, with a number of subspecies.

A large reddish-brown or grayish deer (Cervus canadensis) of western North America, having long, branching antlers in the male. The elk is sometimes considered a subspecies of the closely related red deer. Also called wapiti.

Any species, subspecies, ecotype, or other scientific grouping of such animals.

Chiefly British The moose.

To herd or farm reindeer

A light, pliant leather of horsehide or calfskin, tanned and finished to resemble elk hide.

Any ruminant of the genus Rangifer, of the Deer family, found in the colder parts of both the Eastern and Western hemispheres, and having long irregularly branched antlers, with the brow tines palmate.

Any of various large species of deer such as the red deer, moose or wapiti (see usage notes).

An animal harvested for meat and hides.

Any of the subspecies of the moose (Alces alces, alternatively named Eurasian elk to avoid confusion with the wapiti), that occurs only in Europe and Asia.

Any moose (Alces alces), the largest member of the deer family.

(North America) common wapiti (Cervus canadensis), the second largest member of the deer family, once thought to be a subspecies of red deer.

(British India) Sambar (Cervus unicolor).

A large deer, of several species. The European elk Alces alces (formerly Alces machlis or Cervus alces) is closely allied to the American moose. The American elk, or wapiti (Cervus Canadensis) the largest member of the deer family, has large, spreading antlers and is closely related to the European stag. See Moose, and Wapiti.

The European wild or whistling swan (Cygnus ferus).

A member of the fraternal organization named Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, supporting various services to their communities.

Large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called elk in Europe and moose in North America

Reindeer are often domesticated, especially in northern Europe.

Reindeer usually weigh between 240 to 400 pounds.

Elk are primarily found in North America and some parts of Eastern Asia.

A reindeer is a deer species adapted to Arctic and Subarctic climates.

Only male elk have antlers, which are larger than those of reindeer.

An elk is a large deer species primarily found in North America.

Reindeer are found in Arctic, Subarctic, and boreal regions.

Yes, both male and female reindeer have antlers.

Elk are generally not domesticated and are more commonly found in the wild.

Elk can weigh up to 1,000 pounds.

Both are members of the Cervidae family but are different species.

No, elk are not traditionally used to pull sleighs.

Elk are often hunted for sport and their meat.

Reindeer are used for transport, milk, and meat in some cultures.

In Christmas lore, reindeer are said to pull Santa's sleigh.