The reindeer, is known as a caribou when wild in North America. It is an Arctic and subarctic-dwelling deer (Rangifer tarandus). In North America it was originally found in Alaska, Canada and the northern States from Washington to Maine. During the late Pleistocene period, caribou were found far south as Nevada and Tennessee in North America. In the 19th century they  were still present in southern Idaho. Today, the caribou has all but disappeared from the southern portion of it's north american range, although there are still huge herds in Alaska and northern Canada.