The Astonishing Truth About Rudolph‘s Nose and More

In the home stretch of this holiday season, wildlife veterinarian Jerry Haigh, author of Reindeer Reflections: Lessons from an Ancient Culture, sits down with you for a one-of-a-kind romp through the reindeer lore and science. Reindeer are sure to put you in the mood for peace on Earth.

Get to know these stunningly gorgeous and supremely gentle creatures, find out when and why to call them "caribou," and learn how spellbinding their lives are under the northern lights. Included in the Show Notes, below and on the This Animal Life website, you'll find many links to videos that will further immerse you in their beauty and wonder. 

Jerry Haigh is a cross between James Herriot and Farley Mowat, a wry and compassionate veterinarian who’s ventured far from his native Scotland to travel four continents, all to bring health and healing to animals, both wild and domestic. He's written books about everything from porcupines to rhinos, but his latest book finds him tending to the reindeer of Finland and Mongolia. 

So strap on your snowshoes and tromp along as Jerry regales you with mind-blowing facts about reindeer. For example what, if anything, is so special about Rudolph's nose? Discover the stunning truth about this supremely peaceful animal.

 

SHOW NOTES:

Adopt a Reindeer Foundation

Cairngorm Reindeer Herd on Facebook

Cairngorm Reindeer Herd: Home  The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd is Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer found in the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland. These tame and friendly animals are a joy to all who come and see them. Reindeer are not just for Christmas!

“Caribou (Reindeer),” National Geographic.

“Follow Thousands of Reindeer on an Epic Journey,” Nature on PBS, YouTube, November 2020.

Haigh, Jerry, Reindeer Reflections: Lessons from an Ancient Culture, Rocky Mountain Books, October 2021.

–Website https://www.jerryhaigh.com/
–Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jerry.haigh 
–Twitter @glasgowwildvet
–LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-haigh-9b63735/

 

“Highly competitive reindeer males control female behavior during the rut,” by G. Body et. al, PLoS One, National Library of Medicine, April 2014.

Intelligence of reindeer. “On Reindeer and Men,” by Tim Ingold, Man, New Series, Vol. 9, No. 4, Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, December 1974, pp. 523-538. 

“Living With Reindeer,” Nat Geo WILD, Youtube, December 2016. Winter is coming and indigenous Sami reindeer herders make preparations for their domesticated reindeer. 

“Norway, the Twilight of Reindeer,” Show Me The World, YouTube, November 218. Sami herders struggle with the threat of global warming. 

Red noses on reindeer.

– “Reindeer Noses Really Do Glow Red!” Nature on PBS, YouTube, December 2016. 
– “The Scientific Reason Why Reindeer Have Red Noses,” by Joseph Stromburg, Smithsonian Magazine, December 2012.
– “Why Rudolph’s Nose is Red,” Can Ince et. al., The British Medical Journal, December 2012. 

“Reindeer” by Travis Kemp, podcast, Calming Facts, December 2020. A hilarious (and relaxing) list of cool reindeer facts.

Reindeer Cyclone Videos

--from drone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOr8I0rh0hE  (In an article about this video we find out a veterinarian caused it) 
--about reindeer cyclones on PBS https://youtu.be/xv8UtXWk8UI 
--Reindeer cyclone on BBC YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv8UtXWk8UI
--cyclones as predator evasion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffkKy3brFzk 
“Reindeer Were Domesticated Much Earlier Than Previously Thought,” by Geoff McMaster, PhysOrg, June 2020.

“Top 5 Reindeer Moments,” on BBC Earth -- 20 amazing minutes just chilling with reindeer and their peaceful personalities. All about riding in a sleigh and witnessing the northern lights. Chockfull of beauty and fascinating facts. Super charming!