Reindeer and caribou are actually the same species, Rangifer tarandus, but there are substantial differences between the two. Elk and Caribou can easily be differentiated in terms of their size difference, though beside this they actually have many actual differences. In most deer species, only the male deer bear antlers. Related Articles Rangifer herd size varies greatly in different geographic regions. Most people believe that they are all simply larger deer, which in … The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as the caribou in North America, is a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. As nouns the difference between caribou and reindeer is that caribou is any of several north american subspecies of the reindeer, rangifer tarandus while reindeer is an arctic and subarctic-dwelling deer of the species ( taxlink ), with a number of subspecies. As nouns the difference between caribou and reindeer is that caribou is any of several north american subspecies of the reindeer, rangifer tarandus while reindeer is an arctic and subarctic-dwelling deer of the species (taxlink), with a number of subspecies. Although caribou and reindeer belong to the same species of Rangifer tarandus, there are numerous differences between them.Caribous are bigger, elk-like, and are dominantly habitats of northern North America and Greenland.Caribous thrive in the wild and have never been kept as domestic animals. The main difference between Caribou and Deer is that the Caribou is a species of deer and Deer is a family of mammals. Elk hailing from specie Cervus Canadensis is regarded as one of the largest species within the cerividae family, on the other hand Caribou also known as reindeer hails from specie Rangifer tarandus. The main difference between Reindeer and Moose is that the Reindeer is a species of deer and Moose is a species of mammal. They are two names for the same speciaes. Coloration differences may be too subtle to notice between many reindeer and caribou, however, reindeer tend to be lighter with occasional pinto or white haircoats. Moose and caribou are two different species of the cervidae or deer family. The difference between elk and caribou goes beyond just their behavioral differences. Reindeer. Rangifer tarandus. Taxonomy is the process of classification. Reindeer have a long and storied history as capable draft animals. But it goes much deeper than that. In part, this is a difference of geography: reindeer live in northern Europe and Asia and caribou in North America. The word caribou is derived from the native American Mi'kmaq word for this animal, as rendered by the French. Deer vs Reindeer. This includes both sedentary and migratory populations. Reindeer bulls are smaller than caribou bulls, but cows may weigh the same as caribou cows. The other difference between caribou and reindeer is the range at which the two animals travel or migrate in search of pasture and water. Animals are grouped into different classes for various reasons, partly so we can simply keep track of them. Key difference: Elk and Caribou are part of the deer family and hence are quite similar to each other. Although caribou and reindeer belong to the same species of Rangifer tarandus, there are numerous differences between them.Caribous are bigger, elk-like, and are dominantly habitats of northern North America and Greenland.Caribous thrive in the wild and have never been kept as domestic animals. Compared to the most common species of deer, the whitetail, the reindeer is bigger and adapted to living in colder climates. Reindeer tend to stay in … Reindeer and caribou share the same genus, Rangifer, and species name, tarandus.