Both males and females have irregularly branched, asymmetrical antlers, with up to 12 main branches and many additional branches; males have a prominent multi-tined front branch. In summer the fur is dark greyish brown, in winter it is lighter.


Coniferous forest, open tundra areas, alpine and arctic tundra; some populations are migratory: moving to the open tundra in summer and forest tundra in winter.


Trunk length 185-220 cm, tail length 10-15 cm, shoulder height 82-120 cm, body weight 70-150 kg (male), 40-100 kg (female), weight at birth 4-8 kg.