Santa's reindeer are a wonderful and magical part of Christmas tradition.
These famous creatures are very well known by children and adults around the globe. In fact, most people can name most — if not all — of Santa's reindeer.
But when I discovered this shocking secret about Rudolph and the rest of the gang, I was absolutely floored!
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the story behind Santa's crew of helpers might have been inaccurate all along. It's quite possible that Donner, Blitzen — even old Rudolph — aren't exactly who you think they are…
That's because recent scientific studies show that our favorite reindeer friends might actually, in fact, be female!
Just like these customs from a simpler time, this story has been floating around the Internet for years. While we didn't write it, its exact origins remain unknown.
Scroll through below for the funny story behind this incredible and shocking Christmas revelation.
How do you feel about this surprising new holiday fact? Let us know in the comments!
[H/T: LiveScience]
This story has appeared all over the Internet, and was reposted on Facebook:
"According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid December. Female reindeer, however, 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 female. We should have known this… Only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night, and not get lost."
While this funny story has a clever punch line, it is actually based entirely in fact.
Reindeer and caribou are the only deer in which both females and males grow antlers — which they shed annually.
However, female reindeer will keep their antlers through winter, while the males will shed theirs beforehand.
Why do female reindeer keep their antlers for longer?
When the deer give birth, these mothers are particularly vulnerable, having to care for their babies while providing food and protection.
Their antlers serve dual purposes: reflecting power within their community and scaring away potential predators.
Physiologist Perry Barboza of the Institute of Arctic Biology studies reindeer and their ilk — and agrees with this assessment.
Furthermore, female reindeer carry around 50 percent body fat, making them "seals on hooves," notes Perry.
Ideally, this advantage would allow them to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Pole better than their male counterparts.
However, it's not impossible that Santa's helpers are male.
Greg Findstad, manager of the Reindeer Research Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, shares that these reindeer "might also be castrated males, known as steers."
In fact, steers actually make more efficient sledders, as they maintain their body condition throughout the winter — unlike bulls.
Alaska's Department of Fish and Game adorably also points out that Santa's reindeer are an incredibly uncommon subspecies that exhibit many atypical characteristics: glowing noses and the ability to fly (just to name a few).
While the gender of Santa's most beloved sledders still remains a slight mystery, it is highly likely that they are female.
Of course that just goes to show that a female reindeer has more than what it takes to be a part of Santa's Christmas crew.
While this funny story has quite the amusing punch line, the science behind reindeer antlers certainly allows for the strong possibility of a female team of Santa's sleighers.
Do you believe that Santa's reindeer are female? Let us know in the comments.
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