Today I’m sharing why Reindeer are my favourite animal. Today is #NationalBadgersDay and Blogtober’s prompt for day 6 is of course forest creatures. With that in mind, I’ve decided to tell you about Reindeer – my favourite animal – (which just so happens to be a forest creature, as well)….
Reindeer are my Favourite Animals?
If you know me in the real world, you’ll know I am borderline obsessed with them. I remember being about 5 or 6, and asking my Dad what happens to the Reindeer after Christmas. You see them everywhere in December, but then it’s like nobody cares about them for the next 11 months.
It really bothered me that they were such a fad. There used to be bumper stickers which said, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”, and as much as I agreed with that, it drove me a little mad that the same didn’t apply for Rudolph and his friends. I’d get sad when my folks put the Reindeer teddies and Christmas decorations up in the loft.
I guess that’s probably why sparked my passion for animals. Not long after this, I gave up eating fish because it felt like I was eating one of my pets every time I had fish fingers for tea. (We had a fish pond in the back garden). I became full on vegetarian when I was 17, and have now been meat free for half of my life!
Have you Seen a Reindeer up Close?
I have never ever seen a Reindeer in the wild, and it’s something I definitely need to tick off my bucket list. Hubby took our daughter to Dunham Massey earlier this year and said there’s hundreds of them just wondering around the grounds. (You can read about their trip here). Guess where I want to go for my birthday…?
I have got about 20 deer teddies and they stay out all year round. No seasonal reindeer here! Even Hubby has embraced my love of Rudolph and friends. He’s also a fan now too. So there you have it – that’s why Reindeer are my favourite animal.
Fun Facts About Reindeer
Reindeer are known as caribou in North America, and have long been associated Christmas, thanks to their starring role in pulling Santa’s sleigh. There’s much more to these creatures than just their festive fame, though. So let’s dig into some facts about Reindeer, specifically – maybe they’ll help you understand why Reindeer are my Favourite animals.
- Reindeer are the only species of deer in which both males and females grow antlers. While male reindeer typically shed their antlers after the mating season in winter, females often retain theirs until spring when they give birth. That means all those Reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh must be female! <Insert shocked face here>
- Reindeer are known for their mammoth seasonal migrations. They can cover thousands of kilometers between their summer and winter ranges, while searching for food. They can travel up to 5,000 kilometers in a single year.
So there you have it – Reindeer are more than just Christmas icons; they are fascinating creatures with a rich natural history, and cultural significance. By understanding and appreciating these remarkable animals, we can better protect and conserve their habitats for generations to come.
So, the next time you spot a reindeer, whether in the wild or on a greeting card, take a moment to appreciate at the wonders of nature that they represent.
What’s your favourite animal? Is it something random too?
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