Reindeer Facts

"Reindeer Facts"

Did you know... While both male and female reindeer
grow antlers in the summer each year--according to
the Alaska Department of Fish and Game--male
reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter,
usually late November to mid- December.

Female reindeer retain their antlers until after they
give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every
historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every
single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to
be a girl.

We should have known. Only women would be able
to drag a fat ol' man in a red velvet suit all around the
world in one night and not get lost.

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"Reindeer Facts Restated"

Listen up. Alaska has no native reindeer, as they
come from Asia and Europe. Although Alaska has
some reindeer farms, they are privately owned and
the Alaska Department of Fish and Game would
have little to do with them.

Now, let's assume Santa is a competent breeder of
reindeer. Breeding season runs roughly from the
middle of September to the middle of January and
often is called simply "rut." Breeding males in rut
would not be used to pull a sleigh at Christmas for
three reasons needed for breeding season; not in
prime health because of the rigors of chasing
females; and not trustworthy during personality
change caused by rut.

Similarly, breeding females would not be used to
pull a sleigh because they need to be in prime
health for breeding.

If Santa can't use breeding males or breeding females
to pull his sleigh at Christmas, what's left?

Ah, the true answer, verified by checking with my
reindeer farming neighbors and buddies, is ...
steers [geldings]!

Reindeer steers have antlers at Christmas, do not
change personality significantly during rut, and are
not needed for breeding.

There you have it. Santa's reindeer are males ...
or at least they were.
Received on Tue Dec 19 07:16:19 2006