This time of year, of course, the reindeer is what we will learn about!
There are many stories about reindeer and Santa. Today I will be sharing amazing facts about reindeer and the surprising, almost magical adaptations that they have. At the very end of this article, I will give you a little hint (when it comes to Santa and reindeer).
First, let’s talk about reindeer versus caribou. They do look very similar, Reindeer have been domesticated for thousands of years and are naturally found in the Northern Holarctic, both in the tundra and taiga (boreal forest) of Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Russia. However, caribou are found in the wild, in Alaska and the tundra of North America. You will read different things about them, because reindeer and caribou are different. There is DNA proof! For the adults who want to learn more, please see the citation at the bottom of the article.
Let’s talk about some of the fascinating adaptations (physical changes or behavior that helps survival) they have made to fit into their environment.
One of the coolest things is their amazing antlers! The reindeer and caribou are the only cervids (deer family) where both the bulls and cows (boys and girls) have antlers! When animals adapt in different ways, there is always a reason.
Unlike most deer, the reindeer live in open tundra, where there is nowhere to hide their young. So, to help protect their calves, the cows have antlers to keep them protected from predators. Antlers, of course, drop off every year and then grow back the next year. The reindeer antler is the fastest growing organism on any animal. The bulls and cows that aren’t having young will drop their antlers in the winter, while the pregnant cows keep their antlers into the spring when the calves are born,
A brand new reindeer calf will immediately start to grow antlers! The antlers grow covered with the soft velvet that brings blood flow to them, growing really, really fast! The antlers are soft and kind of rubbery while they are growing. The antler grows bigger and more intricate every year. When the antlers are almost done growing, you can feel them and feel where there is still a lot of heat. When only the very top of the antlers is hot, you know they are almost done growing. This is when the animal will then rub off the velvet. So cool! Now the antlers will be hard, almost bone-like and off white.
Do your lips get chapped and really very cold when playing or skiing in the snow? They wouldn’t if you were a reindeer! Reindeer have such cute lips! Their lips are actually black, which, of course, absorbs the heat of the sun. Plus, to keep them extra warm. the fuzzy face of a reindeer practically covers their lips.
They have fuzzy ears inside and out (not deep inside). Reindeer also have a fuzzy nose, to keep them warm, and it’s really cute, too.
There is nothing like putting your hands down into the coat of a reindeer – so warm!
Reindeer have over 4000 hairs per square inch! They also have hollow hair, which helps keep the cold out and the warmth in, much like a polar bear. Humans have made puffy coats to copy this. Many don’t know that this, along with their special hooves, makes reindeer amazing swimmers!
Do you ever wonder how the reindeer can cross the deep snow so easily? They actually have feet that are a bit like a snowshoe. The split hooves are very wide and flat and there are dewclaws at the back of their feet that help keep them atop the snow. Their shovel-like hooves can also dig for food beneath the snow and break ice,
We have all heard the song that says “Up on a rooftop, Click Click Click.”
Well, one of my favorite adaptations that reindeer have is going to answer the question of what causes the “click, click, click.” Many people think it’s the sound of the hooves, but it’s even cooler.
Reindeer have a special tendon in their ankle that clicks when they walk. This adaptation is thought to help them stay together in the herd when there is a snowstorm or whiteout on the tundra. What is even cooler, when a calf is born, remember, there is nowhere to hide. So from the time a calf is born until it is about nine months old, the tendon doesn’t click!
I said that I would give you a little hint when it comes to Santa and the reindeer. If you decide to leave a treat for the reindeer…. Some leave carrots, but if you really want to make them happy and give them energy, leave them a little bit of oatmeal.
The reindeer and caribou are both cervids (in the deer family). They do share the same scientific name, Rangifer Tarandus. There are many subspecies of caribou and reindeer. The caribou that is most widely spread in Alaska is Rangifer Tarandus Granti, while reindeer are Rangifer Tarandus Tarandus: reindeer and caribou are different animals! To make things very confusing, about 100 years ago reindeer were brought to Alaska.
For grown ups who want to read more: Cronin, MA; Renecker, L.; Pierson, BJ; Patton, JC. Genetic variation in domestic reindeer and wild caribou in Alaska. An in Genet 1995 Dec: 26 (6):427- 34 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1995. tb02695.x.PMID: 85723666
