The reindeerthe fascinating inhabitants of the Arctic, protagonists of Christmas stories and silent witnesses of some of the most extreme climatic conditions on our planet. But how much do we really know about them? Probably much less than we think. Get ready to discover 11 fun facts that might surprise you and, who knows, make your holiday conversations way more interesting.
Reindeer and caribou: two names, one animal
If you always thought that reindeer and caribou were distant relatives, well, that’s not the case: they both belong to the same species, Rangifer tarandusand the difference lies more in geographical and cultural terms. In North America, wild specimens are called caribou, while in Eurasia and for domesticated ones, “reindeer” is preferred. Curiously, there are two large groups: tundra reindeer and forest reindeer, which are further divided into numerous subspecies.
They have more names than a medieval nobleman
The word “reindeer” comes from Old Norse hreindyriwhich combines hreinn (deer) and dyr (animal). Across the ocean, the term “caribou” has its origins in the Mi’kmaq language, in which kaleboo means “scraper,” referring to their way of digging through snow for food. The names reveal a lot about the relationships between man and animal: respect, usefulness and a touch of poetry.
Santa’s reindeer? They are probably from Svalbard
If Santa’s reindeer were real, they might be the subspecies R. tarandus platyrhynchusnative to the Svalbard Islands, a smaller variety, with a woolly coat and short legs – perfect for snowy roofs! Clement C. Moore’s poem, “A visit from Saint Nicholas” of 1823, was the first to introduce the link between Santa Claus and the 8 reindeer (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, translated in Italian as Fulmine, Ballerina, Saltarellino, Freccia, Cometa, Cupido, Tuono and Lampo). The ninth reindeer, Rudolph (in Italian Rodolfo), so to speak the one with the red nose, was introduced after the success of the Christmas song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, written by the American composer Johnny Marks in 1949.
The horns? A genre conundrum
Unlike most cervids, both male and female reindeer develop antlers. But here’s the catch: males lose theirs in the winter, while females keep them until summer. So, if Santa’s reindeer sport antlers during the holidays, they could be females, or young males. A little Christmas mystery that adds charm to the story.
Visual superpowers
Reindeer see the world with an edge. They can sense ultraviolet light, a unique ability among mammals. A superpower that is essential to survive in the snowy tundra, where the dominant white can hide dangers such as predators or hidden food. Kind of like having a pair of built-in X-ray glasses.
Extraordinary adaptations to the cold
Nature has equipped reindeer to deal with harsh conditions. The nose warms the freezing air before it enters the lungs and recovers the moisture lost through breathing, while the fur traps the air, creating exceptional thermal insulation and, surprise, also works as a life jacket. Furthermore, hooves change with the seasons: soft and grippy in summer, hard and pointed in winter for digging in snow and walking on ice.
Marathon runners of the arctic lands
Reindeer are tireless travellers. Some travel up to 5,000 kilometers per year, setting the record for the longest land migration among mammals. And they don’t just walk: they can run up to 80 km/h and swim across rivers at 10 km/h. Think about it the next time you complain about a walk that’s a little too long.
The connection with indigenous cultures
For many indigenous peoples of the Arctic and sub-Arctic, reindeer represent a vital resource. The Inuit and Sami, for example, use every part of the animal: meat, skin, horns, bones. The Sami, in particular, have developed a rich and complex culture around reindeer herding, a tradition that continues to thrive despite modern challenges.
A broader past
Reindeer once lived in regions much further south. During the Pleistocene, their natural habitat extended as far as Nevada and Spain. With global warming and increasing human pressure, their territory has shrunk dramatically. As an example, the last wild caribou in the contiguous United States was moved to a Canadian conservation program in 2019.
Rudolph: an enlightened outsider
The story of Rudolph, the famous red-nosed reindeer, has curious origins. It was created in 1939 by the writer Robert L. May for a Christmas catalog for the Montgomery Ward chain, and then achieved fame thanks to the song we talked about previously. The initial idea? Creating a character that represented diversity and redemption: the red nose, originally a symbol of discrimination, became the secret weapon to save Christmas (initially marginalized because of the red nose, the Rudoplh reindeer will use its main characteristic to illuminate Santa’s journey during a particularly foggy night, a case which made the delivery of the presents possible and which, at the same time, allowed her to officially be part of the group). A great little message of inclusiveness, well before it became a trend.
The mystery of flight
Science doesn’t know (and probably will never know) how Santa’s reindeer manage to fly. But there is a fun hypothesis: some Siberian populations believe that hallucinogenic mushrooms, also consumed by reindeer, could provide a “spiritual” explanation to this legend. A theory that, while remaining in the realm of folklore, adds a touch of magic to everything.
