Santa's Reindeer

—Courtney Rothaus, Environmental Educator

“what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a miniature sleigh ad eight tiny reindeer” Photo: greenpeace.org

We first heard about Santa's reindeer in the classic poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" and they have been a beloved part of Christmas ever since. These Arctic dwellers are a type of deer whose name is derived from the Old Norse word hreinin meaning "horned animal." In fact, reindeer are unlike other deer species in that both the males and females grow antlers. In case you are concerned about Dasher, Dancer, and the rest of Kris Kringle's flight crew this Christmas Eve, here are a few reasons why reindeer are the perfect animals to pull Santa's sleigh.

Reindeer are extremely well adapted to the cold. Reindeer inhabit the northernmost parts of the Northern hemisphere and are well-suited to do so. Their fur traps air, insulating them against below-freezing temperatures. The reindeer's nose has adapted to warm cold air before it enters its lungs. Reindeer's special adaptations for freezing temperatures are really helpful for life at the North Pole and are sure to keep them warm as they fly around the world at high altitudes.

Reindeer's hooves provide excellent traction, perfect for landing on rooftops from New York to Sydney. In the warmer months, when the ground is wet, a reindeer's foot pads actually soften, providing extra traction on the damp earth. In winter, however, the reindeer's foot pads will contract and tighten to reveal the rim of the hooves, which are better suited for moving across slippery snow and ice. These amazing hooves are perfectly suited for landings on any surface.

Another plus for Santa is that reindeer can see ultraviolet light and are, in fact, the only mammals that are able to do so. This adaptation is perfect for dealing with Arctic snow because it enables reindeer to see things that would be otherwise indistinguishable in the all-white landscape: urine would become visible, signaling the presence of a predator or competitor; food-sources such as lichen would appear black and therefore be easy to spot; and even the fur of camouflaging animals would appear to strongly contrast with its surroundings. While this ultraviolet vision is very useful for life in the circumpolar region, it also helps when navigating through the sky, with or without Rudolph's nose.

So this Christmas Eve, rest assured that Santa and his sleigh are in the most capable of hands--or hooves.

Happy holidays!