It's time for our Christmas-themed blog and this year we thought we'd share some facts about reindeer - and why they are uniquely suited to their snowy environment. They also have some surprising distant cousins!
Reindeer and Sheep are related
As we’ve been individually handcrafting British wool duvets, toppers and pillows for nearly two decades, we are committed to supporting British farmers and their flocks. But did you know that sheep and reindeer are related? This because they are both ungulates and ruminants, meaning they share a common ancestor in the order Artiodactyla, from Ancient Greek and means ‘even toe’. However, reindeer are in the family Cervidae (deer family), while sheep are in the family Bovidae (cattle family).
Reindeer come in many sizes
The largest is Osborn’s caribou and the smallest is the Svalbard reindeer. The species is divided into about 7 to 14 subspecies, with some rarer than others. They have what is known as ‘circumpolar’ distribution, native to Arctic, subarctic, tundra and boreal, as well as mountainous regions in northern Europe, Siberia and North America.
Reindeer have had an important relationship with people since prehistory
Reindeer are migratory but are also the only successfully semi-domesticated deer on a large scale in the world. Both wild and domestic reindeer have been an important source of food, clothing and shelter for Arctic people from prehistoric times. Cave paintings by ancient Europeans include both tundra and forest types of reindeer.
Santa’s sledge is pulled by female reindeer
Both male and female reindeer can grow antlers annually, but these tend to be larger on the males (known as ‘bulls’) for fighting over females in autumn, after which they lose their antlers. Female reindeer retain their antlers in winter, for foraging for food in snow and protecting feeding spots, as they are often pregnant at this time of the year - so it’s an important adaptation. Therefore, all the reindeer with antlers that are depicted as pulling Santa’s sleigh are female and not male reindeer!
Reindeer noses really do glow red
Their noses are full of blood vessels in a unique structure that warms up the cold air they inhale. These keeps the reindeer warm on the days when the air temperature in their native habitats can drop to minus 40 degrees.
Reindeer spend up to 40% of their lives in snow
Reindeer have some special adaptations, like the one mentioned in the fact below, but they also have hollow fur to help trap heat and they are excellent swimmers too, enabling them to cross rivers to reach more food.
Reindeer hooves act like crampons
In the summer, the pads of reindeer hooves swell to grip the softer ground but in winter the pads shrink to reveal the sharp edges of their hooves. This, along with the hair on their hooves, allows them to have a grip on slippery ice and frozen tundra.
Reindeer can see ultraviolet light
Unlike humans, reindeer can see ultraviolet light with the naked eye and this is vital for their survival in the dark winter months. Snow reflects ultraviolet light, whereas animal urine (which can be a sign of predators), reindeer moss and wolf fur absorbs UV light, making it appear black and standing out more from the snow. This makes it easier for them to find food but also stay safe from other animals.
Reindeer fun for Christmas
From 24th December, you can follow Santa and his journey around the world, live, on a 2D map. Check out the NORAD website to see where he is, and when he’ll be delivering presents to you.
Take time out to read our gorgeous bedtime story, The Christmas Star Duvet, written and narrated by Pauline, one of our founders and owners. It’s free on our website and available as an eBook format as well as a special animated version.
Why our British wool duvets make Christmas extra cosy
For the cosiest of Christmas holidays, tuck up under one of our luxurious British wool duvets, individually handcrafted for you by our team of professional seamstresses at our Devon workshops on the edge of Dartmoor. Designed and created with soft wool layers encased in a high thread count cotton, our duvets are temperature regulating, 100% natural and chemical free. Find out more about our award-winning British wool soft bedding range.
Ref: Whipsnade Zoo, NORAD, National Geographic