It's that time of the year! Santa is coming to town, and with him he brings his trusty reindeer crew! Here is some fun information about Reindeer that you may not know!
Reindeer, also known as Caribou are typically referred to as reindeer if they are a domesticated animal and Caribou if they are wild. Reindeer are part of the deer family and are considered herd animals ( traveling, feeding and resting together). -This explains why all of Santa's Reindeer are always together.
Reindeer do not grow horns, they grow antlers. Out of all deer species Reindeer antlers are considered the largest and heaviest with male antlers ranging up to 51 inches long and female antlers up to 20 inches. Reindeer will typically shed their antlers each year. Male reindeer will shed them November or mid-December while females keep their antlers until they have given birth in spring. - have you ever noticed Rudolph's antlers? Rudolph is actually a female!
Along with having the largest antlers, reindeer are also the only deer species to be completely covered from nose to hooves in hair. Their extra fuzzy hooves and nose help keep them warm when traveling through ice and snow. Reindeer have an excellent sense of smell. They typically travel against the wind so scents are easier to pick up. Their special nose helps them sniff out food from frozen or snowy surfaces, sense upcoming danger and follow direction.
Reindeer are herbivores. They can typically eat 9-18 lbs. of vegetation a day. Their diet usually consists of mosses, ferns, herbs, and grasses - and of course, Santa gives his Reindeer carrots as a treat!
We hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday! - and don't forget to leave those carrots out for Santa's reindeer!
Happy Holidays from Classic Equine Equipment!
Medicine, Center for Veterinary. “Fun Facts about Reindeer and Caribou.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/fun-facts-about-reindeer-and-caribou.