Reinder Facts for the Holidays

Since we're moving up towards the holiday season I thought I'd look up the essential stats on Santa's Flying Reindeer. These hardworking deer are essential in Santa's plan to distribute toys to boys and girls all over the world. Did you know that Reindeer and Caribou are the same species? It's just that the Reindeer, over time and with selective animal husbandry have developed into a new subspecies.

 

• Also reindeer live a short lifetime too. Most Bulls don't live past 8 years of age.
• The only reindeer that are known to grow antlers in both genders are Rangifer tarandus. Plus, the baby calves will also grow antlers starting in their first year. Those deer you see on the Christmas Specials are almost certainly this subspecies of Reindeer.
• The above adaptation of having females with antlers allows them to protect their food sources and defend themselves while pregnant, thus increasing their survival rate.
• Many bulls, though seemingly strong in the summer are actually quite weak by the winter because of the energy they must use up during the rutting season in fighting for and finding mates.
• The breeding season for reindeer typically lasts from August to September.
• While Gestation or the length of a pregnancy typically lasts from 200 to 220 days.
• Reindeer are uniquely adapted to live life in the frozen arctic and do not hibernate during winter like some other animals.
• Castrated males are called "Steer" and they are used most commonly for sledding because they remain strong during winter and have no interest in mating.

Alaska has been home to Reindeer for more than 100 years. I hope you enjoyed reading these fund Reindeer tips for the holiday season as much as I enjoyed looking them up.

 

Source: http://reindeer.salrm.uaf.edu/about_reindeer/