Bad news to report from a recent North Pole global press release issued just before Thanksgiving, 2024.  It concludes with statistics that reveal that Rudolph is a “female” and not a “male” red-nosed reindeer.  This statement is substantiated by two differing listed resources included within this text for your evaluation and consideration.

First, the only reindeer left with antlers at Christmastime are the females,” writes www.almanac.com.  “Male reindeer (Bulls) shed their fuzzy antlers before the beginning of winter, which is late- November to mid-December.”

Some universal scientists argue that Rudolph, who is depicted in late December with intact antlers, is female, writes Discovery Health.

Continuing, “Both male and female reindeer have antlers, which are maintained until Spring.  It continues, “Most of the reindeer used to pull sleds are castrated males – they are easier to handle and have antler cycles similar to those of the female.”

 The other eight named lady reindeers in Santa’s reptiloids include:   Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, and Vixen.  It is written elsewhere that Donner is the “father” of Rudolph?

“In early Spring, all male reindeer begin to grow antlers.  At full size, they will be 20 – 50 inches tall.  A few weeks later, the female antlers start to appear; they can grow from 9 – 20 inches tall.  All new antlers are covered with protected soft fur, called “velvet.”   Reindeer shed their antlers annually and grow a new larger set yearly,” concludes www.almanac.com.


Upon hearing this news, my sister, Lucy, commented that it would take a female to get the job done correctly - willfully and successfully and without fanfare.

Rudolph is employed by Santa to help deliver gifts to all the good little girls and boys throughout the world on Christmas Eve.  His unforeseen and inherited red nose guides the other eight reindeer throughout the brash, almost-sightless winter weather.  Added later, Rudolph is the ninth reindeer.

The original eight reindeer first were introduced in the 1863 poem, “A
Visit from St. Nicholas” (see below). Throughout the years, the poem sparingly has changed titles, including the “Night Before Christmas,” of which we are more familiar today and it was written by Clement Clarke Moore.  Most persons remember it as “The Night Before Christmas,” another take on the poem’s initial identity.

Secondly with more evidence, Edinburgh University professors, Gerald Lincoln and David Baird, told the U. K’s Telegraph that “Santa’s reindeer can’t be male for one simple reason:  Only female reindeer still have their antlers at Christmas; the males of the species shed their headgear before mid-December.”

Continuing with his prior assessment, Lincoln said, “Male reindeer actually cast their antlers before Christmas, so they don’t have any antlers at Christmastime.  They have their mating season in Autumn when they use their antlers to fight, but once finished, they cast them…I just wanted to remind people that it is never quite so straightforward, and even females develop weapons when it comes to the real world of seasoned breeding.”  Also, it is written elsewhere that female reindeer use their antlers as a weapon during fighting for food sources.

Furthermore, Lincoln added, “Of the 40 various species of deer on Earth, only the reindeer species features females with antlers.  Females also have an edge over males in another important way.  In preparation for winter, female reindeer build up to near 50 percent body fat, which adds a couple of inches of fat to their hind legs and which keeps them warm when the temperatures reach 45 degrees below zero.”  The males use their reserve energy during the last mating season.

“Only the gals would be prepared to circle the globe from the North Pole,” said Lincoln.  “And if a male reindeer is castrated, the growing process stops.”

“Nonetheless, the prevailing theory is that Santa has an all-girl team, joined by young red-nosed Rudolph.  Yep, Santa’s ladies don’t mind stopping for directions,” writes www.almanac.com, “but men do.”

As a precursor, Rudolph joined Santa’s sleigh in 1964 when a television movie was born, entitled, “Rudolph.”  He is discovered by Santa to have a shiny nose.”  Upon joining the other reindeer, Rudolph becomes the ninth reindeer in Santa’s furry entourage.  The other eight are listed in the above paragraph.

Which leads Lincoln to the following ending comment: “I think it’s best to think that Rudolph is and was a female.”

Agreed.

“And to all, a good night.”