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Saturday, December 24, 2011
Natural History of The Flying Reindeerby Karen Vernon
Flying Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus
volatilis), a rare subspecises of the arctic and subactric
reindeer or caribou, is notable for its dramatic migratory habits and consequent adpatations including the ability to fly
(a phenomenon known as insular aviatorism).
Distribution and habitat The Flying Reindeer are an
isolated population particular to the extreme North Pole. A small number of the deer are semidomesticated
by the local culture as an imporatant source for milk, felt, and the transportation of indigenously produced toys in large
sleighs.
Morphology The males
typically measure 71–84 in. in length and usually weighing 200–460 lb. Shoulder height
typically measure from 33 to 59 in. with males being larger than females. The flying
reindeer are unique in that they do not loose their antlers in the winter but keep them all year long. Their
adaptations for flight are not readily visible but include more aerodynamically efficient head shape and hooves adapated for
both tundra, snow and hard high altitude surfaces such as rooftops.
Ecology and Behavior Flying reindeer are ruminants like all deer; however, their interaction with human communities
has altered their diet substantially. They exist largely on a diet of peppermint candy, chocolate and small
buttery cookies. However, global awareness of the dietary needs of reindeer during their migratory period
has led to more availability of hay and carrots left by supportive parties along their migratory route.
Mi gration The
migration of the flying reindeer is perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of the species. Many
reindeer migrate long distances through the arctic region. These migrations include long swims through arctic straits in near
freezing water. Evidence suggests that R. tarandus volatilis developed the flying adpatation as a means to avoid these swims, as the subspecies is notorious for
its dislike of getting its feet wet. Like many birds the species, the reindeer uses magnetic fields to
guide its migration and R. tarandus volatilis is thought to have further developed the ability to manipulate these fields for the purpose
of flight. (Further research is indicated.) The flight adpatation has had the effect
of both increasing the range of the reindeer’s migration and condensing its duration, such that the deer now circumnavigate
the entire globe in one night, tonight, December 24th. While this night is the ideal and, in fact, only
time to view this reindeer, they are very difficult to sight. Special field equipment may be helpful, but
even with these aids very few sightings have been recorded. The difficulty is compounded by the traditional
use of select members (8-9) of the species to deliver toys, which can only be recieved once the recipient is in bed and fast
asleep. The best way to track R. tarandus volatilis
migration is to look
at the yearly survey undertaken by the North American Air Defense or NORAD. Their website http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html tracks the progress of the
reindeer migration across the globe throughout it’s duration. Evidence of the R. tarandus volatilis migration is readily visible and includes the tapping of reindeer “paws”, jingling,
the aformentioned presents, and the signs of browsing on cookies.
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