Reindeer Facts

It's Christmas time and one of the most talked of and famous animals at this time of the year is none other than the reindeer. Yes, reindeer is typically the 'animal of the month' in December! However, there is still a lot, that people do not know. For example, did you know that both male and female reindeer have antlers that they shed periodically? Well, for more such interesting reindeer facts, read on...

Reindeer Fun Facts

• Reindeer are a species of deer that live in the northern bear Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. They are sometimes referred to by different names like Caribou in North America.
• Reindeer prefer to travel and live together in groups known as a herd. This herd may vary in number from twenty to even up to a thousand! But not all reindeer join in herds - male reindeer prefer to wander on their own, whereas female reindeer prefer to stay in a herd.
• Among the lesser known facts about reindeer (caribou) is that this animal is very skilled in swimming and can easily swim across huge rivers. However, on the other hand, reindeer prefer snow over water.
• So, since our deer reindeer friend is one of the Arctic tundra animals, how does it manage to stay warm in the freezing conditions of the Arctic. Well, the reindeer manages to withstand the harsh tundra climate because its fur has an outer layer of tubular hair that are hollow. This helps to not only provide insulation in cold conditions, but also provides buoyancy when they are in water. Surely one of the reindeer facts for kids.
• The reindeer diet consists of leaves, herbs, lichens, etc. In fact, one of the lichens they eat is called reindeer moss! Facts about reindeer moss includes that they are basically algae and are soft and rubbery when moist, but dry and brittle when there is less moisture in the air.
• You know that male and female reindeer shed their antlers however, the time at which they shed their antlers sets them apart from each other. Male reindeer (which is called a back) tend to shed their antlers around the end of winter seasons and then, eventually grow them again in the month of January or February. Female reindeer (who go by the name doe) and calves or fawn on the other hand, tend to shed their antlers around the month of March or April. You may be wondering why do reindeer shed their antlers? Well, there are many reasons for this - because they eventually regenerate new ones and so that they tend to get camouflaged easily when they do not have antlers.
• One of the quick reindeer facts is that the sound made by a reindeer is known as a below. They have an inflatable pouch under their throat which helps to increase their sound of roaring during the mating (rutting) season.
• The reindeer is well adapted to freezing temperatures in ways more than one - it has large hoofs which are nearly circular and which act as snowshoes! Their spread out nature is to aid them in walking in the snow and also helps them to dig food. Also, reindeer can lower their own body temperature in the region of their legs to a level just above freezing point. This is how, along with their coat, they manage to prevent loss of heat from the body.
• One of the interesting reindeer facts is that a reindeer that is one year old makes a clicking sound while walking, which helps it to track others in case they go astray, or if there is a snow blizzard.
• Most of the reindeer that are seen today are domesticated. Reindeer help to provide us with butter, meat, milk and cheese. In fact, reindeer milk is rich in both proteins and fat!
• Reindeer can run up to forty miles an hour. In fact, a just born reindeer can easily outrun a full-grown athletic man!

Surely these animal facts must have been quite eye opening compared to the Santa's reindeer facts that you've grown up knowing (reindeer can't fly to begin with!). Sadly, according to many wildlife experts, the reindeer is said to be an endangered species as their numbers have dwindled off late, due to hunting and loss of habitat. Let us try to make some efforts to protect these graceful creatures by spreading awareness about them, lest they become a figment of our imagination, as Santa's flying helpers.