Animals of the Season

Mini Fact: Reindeer are strong and work well together as a team. Northern peoples use reindeer to pull sleighs.

It’s fun to share stories and legends about animals during the winter holidays. For example, one legend from Europe is that at midnight, as Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day, animals can speak for one hour. However, animals may not

choose to speak to people. And the legend warns that people might not always want to hear what the animals have to say!

The Mini Page looks at some of the real animals that we think of during the winter holiday season.

Reindeer

According to legend, Santa delivers kids’ presents from a sleigh pulled by nine reindeer.

Reindeer are the same species, or type, of animal as caribou (KAR-uh-boo). They live in northern Europe, Asia and North America.

Reindeer have long fur with hollow hairs in the outer layer. These hairs trap air to keep them warm.

When food is scarce, they can get by with less food. In winter they eat lichen (LIE-kun), a plantlike organism that resembles moss. It may be the only thing to eat under the snow.

Reindeer’s strong legs and large, wide hooves help them stay on top of the snow. Their hooves help them dig through snow to find food. They have long hair on their feet to help them get more traction on the snow.

Donkey

Donkeys are smaller cousins of the horse. They are slower than horses.

Donkeys are known for their endurance rather than their speed. They can carry heavy loads for long distances. They are able to travel easily over rocky land. They also do well in dry climates.

Donkeys are known for their stubborness, but they have worked well with people for thousands of years.

Camel

Camels are adapted for life in the hot desert. They can go for 10 days without any water, and they can drink salty water.

Camels store fat in their humps. When they need food, the fat in their humps can break down into nutrients and water. When a camel goes without food and water for a long time, the hump goes flat.

Partridge

The partridge is related to the quail. It is associated with the holidays because of a popular holiday song about a partridge. But it actually builds its nest on the ground.

Sheep

People have raised sheep for thousands of years. They are raised on every continent except Antarctica.

Sheep have few defenses and are in danger from animals such as wolves. That is why they stay together in a herd. They are shy animals that follow their leaders.

Shepherds watch over sheep when they are in a place with no fences. Sheep can graze in areas where grass may be hard for other animals to get to, such as on hills and cliffs. They can eat grass that is very close to the ground.

photo courtesy Bureau of Land Management

Most donkeys have a dark cross in the fur on their backs and shoulders. The legend is that this cross appeared after the donkey carried the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.

Camels are known as the ships of the desert because they can carry up to 1,000 pounds for long distances. And they rock from side to side, so riders feel as if they are on a ship.

People use sheep for food, clothing, and products such as soap and glue.

“... And a partridge in a pear tree” are the famous words in every verse of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song.