| One foggy Christmas Eve, Santa Claus made Rudolph | | | | period, a reindeer pregnancy lasts for approximately |
| the most popular reindeer of all-time. Once chastised | | | | seven months. Most often, reindeer calves are born |
| for his red nose, Rudolph's name went down in | | | | in the months of April and May.During the mating |
| history when his guiding light saved Christmas for kids | | | | season, into which young caribou enter at the ripe |
| the world over.Folklore aside, and much to the delight | | | | age of 18 months (they continue to mate until about |
| of kids in every age group, it's indisputable fact that | | | | 10 years of age), the male reindeer - known as bulls - |
| reindeer really do exist. They may not fly (except for | | | | work vigorously. They eat very little and often lose |
| special ones like Dancer and Prancer), but they roam | | | | 20 percent of their body fat.When a female reindeer |
| North American landscapes and are commonly known | | | | - sometimes called a cow (confusing, isn't it?) - is |
| by other names, such as Caribou.Reindeer are | | | | about to give birth, she becomes withdrawn and |
| mammals that typically live about 15 years. Most | | | | separates herself from the pack. She'll hide from her |
| often they are gray in color with splashes of brown, | | | | herd in a protected place, away from the elements. |
| though on occasion a white caribou is encountered. | | | | Luckily for her, the birth will only last about 30 |
| Their coats - or pelts - are thick to help them | | | | minutes once the actually birthing process begins |
| withstand harsh winters. Since they're typically found | | | | (usually 24 hours or so after she goes into |
| in the northern U.S. and Canada, these pelts are | | | | hiding).Reindeer have velvet-covered antlers and the |
| essential to their survival.Some of the most | | | | males grow a mane. Like deer or elk, they are wild |
| noteworthy reindeer in the world are found in British | | | | animals and therefore do not make good pets, |
| Columbia, Canada, where reindeer farms are | | | | though some people have taken ill-advised steps to |
| prevalent. On these farms, the caribou are raised for | | | | attempt making them into pets over the years.The |
| slaughter. After processing, caribou meet - called | | | | next time your child or grandchild asks you about |
| venison - is taken to restaurants and retail outlets to | | | | Rudolph, you can tell them with confidence that |
| be sold for consumption. While caribou are not a | | | | reindeer do exist. You can even offer to drive them |
| particularly popular dish, demand for the food does | | | | past a range where farmed reindeer forage. These |
| appear to be growing as consumers everywhere | | | | reindeer may not look like the friendly, smiling cartoon |
| continue the trend of testing their palates with new | | | | Rudolph, but their physical presence will assure |
| flavors and food combinations.The reindeer's breeding | | | | children that reindeer are in fact real!Brought to you |
| season is particularly interesting. Known as "the rut," | | | | by Imaginary Greetings, a regular contributor of |
| the breeding season lasts for about a month. | | | | valuable family oriented content. For safe, |
| Typically, the rut occurs in the latter half of | | | | family-friendly games and activities visit the official |
| September and early part of October. While humans | | | | Santa Claus Home Page. |
| carry their young through a nine-month gestation | | | | |