Description

During the summer, reindeer eyes are golden; in the winter, they turn a striking blue. This is due to the physiological changes in the eye that take place when pupils dilate to adapt to extremely low light conditions in the Arctic.

In extremely cold temperatures, reindeer noses may take on a pinkish hue. This color change is due to the dilation of blood vessels in the nose, which helps to increase blood flow and, in turn, heat production.

These animals live in boreal and mountain regions as well as the Arctic. Unfortunately, many populations are in decline. Over the past 150 years, caribou have lost about 40 percent of their southern range.

Santa’s sleigh is said to be pulled by reindeer, and they have individual names. The most famous ones are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner (or sometimes called Dunder), and Blitzen.

Santa’s sleigh is said to travel incredibly fast, allowing him to visit millions of homes in a single night. Some estimates suggest he would need to travel at speeds exceeding the speed of light to accomplish this feat.