Santa's Reindeer
(R.t. saintnicolas magicalus)
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Did You Know?
Santa's reindeer have infinite life expectancy. They are immune from the coronavirus currently circulating the world. So, Rudolf will be able to guide Santa's sleigh without a mask covering up his bright nose.
General Description
Santa's reindeer (R.t. saintnicolas magicalus) look very similar to common reindeer or caribou, but have many characteristics that distinguish them from the seven other common subspecies. In Europe, caribou are called reindeer, but in Alaska and Canada only the semi-domesticated form is called reindeer. All caribou and reindeer throughout the world are considered to be the same species, and, including Santa's reindeer (R.t. saintnicolas magicalus), there are 8 subspecies: barrenground (Rangifer tarandus granti), Svalbard (R.t platyrhynchus), European (R.t. tarandus), Finnish forest reindeer (R.t. fennicus), Greenland (R.t. groenlandicus), woodland (R.t. caribou) and Peary (R.t. pearyi). Alaska has mostly the barren-ground subspecies and one small herd of woodland caribou. Canada has three subspecies, the Peary, woodland and barren-ground.
In most subspecies of reindeer/caribou, the largest bulls shed their antlers in late October, small bulls and non-pregnant cows shed theirs in April, and pregnant females usually retain their antlers until calves are born in late May. It is not known when or if Santa's reindeer shed their antlers. We do know, from a few furtive sightings, that their antlers appear extremely velvety and robust in late December. Santa's reindeer also possess the unique and remarkable ability to fly. A strenuous conditioning program developed by Mr. and Mrs. Claus enables them to travel great distances in a short time period, provided they receive frequent carrot snacks.
For more information, including a copy of the Alaska's Wild Wonders kids magazine issue on Antlered Ungulates (and a page on caribou), visit the More Resources tab above. To see all the information in this profile on one page, click on the printer-friendly link above.
Life History
Growth and Reproduction
Little is known about reproduction but it does appear that the life expectancy of Santa's reindeer is infinite. No deaths or fatalities have been reported, and none are expected in the foreseeable future, though stories are told of numerous "close calls" due to slippery rooftops and heavy jet traffic around major airports.
Feeding Ecology
Like other subspecies of caribou, Santa's reindeer eat the leaves of willows, sedges, flowering tundra plants, and mushrooms during the summer. They switch to lichens (reindeer moss), dried sedges (grass-like plants), and small shrubs (like blueberry) in September. An interesting question is how such foraging behavior is possible at the North Pole, an icy region in which plant life can't be said to prosper. But then again, Santa's house is not an ordinary place.
The diet of Santa's reindeer during the month of December consists almost entirely of carrot snacks. This enables them to fly long distances, during short periods of time, in unfavorable visibility conditions.
Migration
Researchers differ over whether the annual night flight of R.t. saintnicolas magicalus may technically be considered a migration.
Range and Habitat
Santa's reindeer are reported to live at the North Pole, where they are cared for by Mr. Claus, Mrs. Claus, and a handful of specially trained elves. It must be very pleasant for Santa's reindeer in that land of ice, for throughout the short Arctic summer and long winter, Santa's reindeer rarely stray from their snowy home.
One night of the year, however, observant children may detect traces of these elusive creatures anywhere human beings are known to dwell, from the busiest cities to the deepest jungles. The geographic range of R.t. saintnicolas magicalus may thus be considered larger than the range of any other member of the genus Rangifer.
Alaska Caribou Herds
North American Caribou Herds
The movement of Santa's reindeer on Christmas eve is well documented. But what about their caribou cousins? These two animated maps show the movements of caribou herds over the course of a year. The map labeled North American herds shows four Alaska herds and eight Canadian herds. The map labeled Alaska Caribou herds shows the four northernmost herds (Teshekpuk, Western Arctic, Central Arctic and Porcupine) of the 31 caribou total herds in Alaska. The Porcupine herd ranges into western Canada. Note that the caribou bunch up or aggregate in June on the calving grounds. Caribou herds are counted shortly after these aggregations begin to occur, typically in early July. Data were collected from about 1990–2006. This project was done by CARMA — CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Network. The Network is an international group of scientists, managers and community people who have a common interest in caribou.
Status, Trends, and Threats
Though there are very few Santa's reindeer, they are not listed as threatened or endangered. This is due to their unusual life expectancy, which is infinite.
Fast Facts
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Size
Adult bulls average 350–400 pounds (159–182 kg); Mature females average 175–225 pounds (80–120 kg). -
Distribution
Santa's reindeer are found exclusively at the North Pole, with one yearly exception. -
Diet
Herbivore, carrots favored -
Predators
None -
Status
Healthy
Did You Know?
- Santa's reindeer have infinite life expectancy. They are immune from the coronavirus currently circulating the world. So, Rudolf will be able to guide Santa's sleigh without a mask covering up his bright nose.
Research
The Story of Rudolph
Research into the history of Santa's reindeer brings to light a peculiar tale. The smallest of Santa's reindeer, Rudolph, was born with a genetic abnormality: a bright, red, glowing nose. Poor Rudolph! His nose was frequently the object of cruel remarks and such pranks as only reindeer calves can play. Rudolph ruefully assumed the mantle of the outcast.
But a unique destiny was prepared for this gentle beast. Rudolph's genetic abnormality would become his greatest asset. One fateful Christmas Eve, Santa and his reindeer gathered on the ice sheet. The fog was thick as soup, and snowflakes crowded the air, getting in Santa's eyes. What could penetrate the fog and snow and guide Santa's sleigh, burdened with gifts, on its joyful course? The answer was obvious. Rudolph guided Santa and his sleigh through the treacherous night by the light of his nose. Had it not been for Rudolph, Santa's sleigh would have been grounded. Christmas stockings would have remained devoid and limp, and Christmas day would have been marked with cries of disappointment. From that fateful eve forward, Rudolph has been revered and honored by his fellows through stories, legends and songs.
Possibilities for Further Research
Little more is known of Santa's reindeer. They remain well-loved, and more often heard than seen. Every Christmas Eve, sharp-eared children may detect the faint sound of harness bells and hoofbeats on rooftops. Department researchers encourage you to record your observations and document sightings so that we can learn more about this unusual subspecies.
Get Involved
Don't Forget the Carrot Snacks
When you're setting out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, be sure to include a handful of carrot snacks for the reindeer as well. Santa's reindeer have a long way to travel, and they need to keep up their strength!
Record Your Observations
Because relatively little has been documented about this rare subspecies, Department researchers encourage you to report your observations. Keep a sharp eye and ear out and if you can document a sighting or any sign (tracks, scat, signs of foraging), email us at dfg.santasreindeer@alaska.gov.
We're also looking for help with other crowd-sourced science projects. Please visit our citizen science page for more information on how you can get involved.
Citizen science link: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=citizenscience.main
More Resources
Related Information
- Caribou Species Profile
- Caribou — Wildlife Notebook Series
- Alaska's Wild Wonders — Antlered Ungulates
(publication for kids; see page 4 for caribou info)
Santa's Reindeer Tracks
Santa's Reindeer, like their caribou cousins, have the widest and roundest hooves of all deer species. Their large, concave hoofs are spread widely to support the animal in snow and soft tundra and function as suction cup-like grippers on steep snowy rooftops.
Santa's Reindeer Scat
Like all subspecies of caribou, Santa's Reindeer scat should differ in size and shape depending on the amount of moisture obtained from the food the animal eats. No examples of scat have ever been collected so we cannot know for sure. We surmise that during most of the winter — except for the month of December when their diet changes — their scat should be small, concave pellets since they are eating mostly lichens, sedges and small shrubs with high fiber content. In the summer, if it is like other subspecies of caribou, scat will appear as soft clumps of mass resulting from a diet of lush, wet vegetation.