Buzz
Whether referred to as reindeer or caribou, these remarkable creatures, often associated with Christmas, are truly captivating. They endure temperatures as low as -60 degrees Celsius (-76 F), embark on journeys spanning thousands of miles, and wield the magic of their noses to deliver presents. Their herds can include hundreds of thousands of individuals, crossing continents on epic migrations. Beyond the staggering numbers, here are 10 intriguing facts about these beloved Arctic herbivores.
10. The Bite That Castrates
In Scandinavian and Russian traditions, the Sami people have a unique custom of half-castrating their reindeer bulls. This process involves damaging the testicles without breaking the skin of the scrotum. What’s unusual about this practice is the method—they pin down the reindeer and then chew the testicles until they're broken down. Historically, women have carried out this task, though recent European laws against animal cruelty have made it illegal to castrate without veterinary assistance.
This method of castration might actually benefit the reindeer in some ways. With climate change leading to more extreme seasonal shifts, such as melting and refreezing water, a layer of ice forms that makes it tough for reindeer to access food. Bulls that have been half-castrated tend to grow larger, making them better equipped to break through the ice and reach the food beneath. They’re also less aggressive, which allows them to share their meals with younger reindeer that might otherwise struggle to survive harsh winters.
9. Radioactive Reindeer
One of history's most infamous nuclear disasters, the Chernobyl accident, had devastating effects on reindeer and the Sami people who depended on them. The first reindeer slaughter after the meltdown, which took place five months later, revealed that 97 percent of the meat was too radioactive to consume. In response, the Swedish government enacted an emergency plan, feeding the contaminated meat to minks and foxes in the fur trade, as the radioactive material wouldn't transfer to the fur, preventing the meat from going to waste.
Even today, nuclear fallout remains a concern. A significant factor contributing to this is the reindeer’s love for mushrooms, which tend to accumulate radioactive cesium.
There are several strategies to mitigate this issue. Some herders carefully manage their herd's diet, while others administer a binding agent over several weeks to help expel cesium from the animals' bodies. In Norway, however, they take a different approach—allowing a higher level of radiation, with an acceptable level for human consumption being 500 percent higher than the European Union's standard.
8. Reindeer Meat Shortage
Benjamin Franklin once famously stated that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. He also could have added that whenever a well-known company offers reindeer meat during the Christmas season, every news outlet will inevitably call it “eating Rudolph.” Other meats don’t seem to face the same fate—though activists against pork might try to call it “eating Babe,” searching for that term leads to entirely different results.
As we’ve hinted in earlier points, reindeer meat is in high demand. So much so that Europe is currently experiencing a shortage. One German company placed an order for 100,000 reindeer from Finland this year, despite the fact that only 80,000 were available in the entire country for everyone. Buyers from Spain and France have also been left disappointed, many turning to Russia to fulfill their reindeer meat needs.
Earlier this year, Norway began producing halal reindeer meat as an alternative to ham for Muslims in the country. However, Norway wasn’t the first to do so—back in 2010, Russia sent 1,000 cans of halal reindeer meat to Qatar in an effort to make a lasting impression at a trade conference.
If you're looking for a less intense reindeer dish, perhaps consider finding some reindeer milk. While many believe that reindeer milk could become a thriving industry, it’s almost impossible to come by. Heston Blumenthal, one of the world’s renowned chefs, even traveled all the way to Siberia in search of it, humorously noting he was “in search of Rudolph,” of course.
7. Reindeer Battalions
During World War II, while the allies turned to camels in the deserts, the Soviets enlisted 6,000 reindeer in the Arctic. These reindeer, capable of pulling 50 kilograms (110 lbs) each, not only provided sustenance but were also vital for transporting supplies, carrying wounded soldiers, and even dragging damaged aircraft through deep snow. The Red Army relied on the assistance of 1,000 native reindeer herders to keep their operations running smoothly.
Reindeer were tasked with transporting American supplies from Murmansk, located on Russia’s northern coast, to the frontlines. Since only the Americans and the British had fully mechanized their military, the Soviets made extensive use of animal power. In the frozen bogs of the Russian and Finnish countryside, reindeer were clearly the best option. The Arctic town of Naryan-Mar has since erected a monument in honor of the reindeer that played a crucial role during the Winter War.
6. Flying Reindeer
The concept of Santa’s flying reindeer first appeared in 1822 in The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. However, humans have been depicting reindeer in flight for thousands of years. In fact, hundreds of 4,000-year-old stone monoliths depicting flying reindeer (along with weapons) can be found across the plains of Mongolia.
The nomadic tribes responsible for the stone carvings likely drew inspiration from their shamanistic beliefs. Warriors would tattoo images of reindeer and birds onto their bodies, symbolizing their spiritual ascent to the heavens. The pillars may have been crafted to honor specific individuals, and the weapons etched alongside the reindeer could have been carefully depicted to match the identity of those represented.
One reason reindeer are often associated with flight might be their fondness for hallucinogenic mushrooms. The effects of the mushrooms survive when they pass through the reindeer’s system and into their urine, which is why many herders consume deer urine to get high. Under the influence, it’s not too far-fetched to imagine someone thinking they saw a reindeer soaring through the air.
5. Ancient Artwork
Reindeer have been integral to human culture for millennia. The earliest known piece of prehistoric art ever recognized for what it was—a horse carving crafted from reindeer antler—was discovered sometime between 1830 and 1848 by a French priest, Jean-Baptiste Croizet.
In 1848, Britain’s Natural History Museum acquired the item for 440 pounds, which would be over $40,000 in today’s currency. It was exhibited for a year before being stored away, only to be rediscovered during an audit in 2010. Modern methods have dated the carving to be about 14,000 years old.
The oldest known example of rock art in Britain also features reindeer. A rudimentary line drawing on a cave wall in South Wales shows a reindeer with a spear piercing its neck. This artwork is from around the same period as the horse on the antler, but it predates similar drawings in Europe by as much as five millennia.
4. Transforming Eyes
While Rudolph’s fame comes from a unique feature, the most fascinating coloration on a reindeer’s face is actually found higher up. Reindeer are the only mammals known to have eyes that change color. This happens according to the seasons: during the summer, when sunlight is nearly constant, their eyes are golden, but in the winter, when darkness prevails, their retinas become less reflective and their eyes take on a blue hue.
This isn’t the only way reindeer have adapted to the harsh Arctic environment. They are also the only mammals known to see in ultraviolet. In winter, when the Sun barely rises above the horizon, most radiation reaching the region is ultraviolet. Snow reflects up to 90% of UV light, and while this can cause snow blindness in humans, reindeer’s resilient eyes benefit from it.
3. Reindeer Racing
Given that reindeer can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour, it’s no surprise that racing them has become a popular activity. Unlike races with horses or camels, however, the human competitors don’t ride their animals. Instead, they ski, wear Lycra suits, and hold onto a rope attached to the reindeer.
In 2011, Finland’s Reindeer Cup Championship featured twenty breeding cooperatives. Racers reached speeds of up to 50 kilometers (30 miles) per hour. This is especially daring considering they wore almost no padding except for helmets. Drag races through towns drew large crowds, offering an entertaining spectacle. The racers’ outfits were often quite flamboyant, with bold colors and dramatic patterns decorating them.
2. Quebec’s Mass Drowning
Reindeer migrate over vast distances every year, and those in North America travel the farthest of all reindeer species. This long journey leads to deeply ingrained migration patterns. The reindeer rely on their knowledge of the best routes, so any artificial alteration to the environment can have serious consequences. In 1984, this was evident when up to 10,000 reindeer drowned in the Caniapiscau River in Canada.
Normally, only a few hundred reindeer might drown each year, but in 1984, Hydro-Quebec, a power company, had just completed a dam. As they began releasing water, the river levels rose higher than usual. The reindeer followed their usual path through the river, only to face tragic consequences. While the company attributed the incident to above-average seasonal rainfall, many doubted this explanation.
Handling the aftermath of such a large number of carcasses proved to be a difficult task. Eventually, helicopters were enlisted to transport the deceased inland, allowing scavengers to take over the cleanup. The local Inuit community expressed interest in doing the work themselves, provided the government would fund it. One lone reindeer, surrounded by the bodies of its fallen companions, was too weak to survive and had to be put down.
1. Invasive Reindeer Of South Georgia
South Georgia is a British island located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of South America. Situated roughly as far from the equator as Newfoundland, Canada, the climate of South Georgia is ideal for reindeer to thrive. In fact, it's safe to say the reindeer have done too well there, exceeding expectations.
Norwegian whalers introduced reindeer to the island as a food source at the beginning of the 20th century. Despite only 22 reindeer being brought over initially, their population grew to 5,000 by early 2013. Unfortunately, native species like the king penguin have been negatively affected. The reindeer trample on nests and consume vast amounts of vegetation, leading to soil erosion.
To prevent further harm, a plan to completely cull the reindeer has been set in motion. In March 2013, Norwegian hunters managed to eliminate 3,500 reindeer, with plans to return in 2014 to finish the job. The operation, which has cost over $750,000, also produced 7,500 kilograms of reindeer meat (16,500 lbs), valued at almost $180,000.
