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Home Opinion Everyday Science: How Reindeer Migrate

Photo courtesy of andreweddyauthor.com.

 

by A Real Scientist

 

About this time of year, a little-known mammal from the northern hemisphere flies back into the minds of many people. Yep, the arctic reindeer. Like monarch butterflies that instinctually return to their summer homes in the forests of central Mexico, reindeer begin their migration from northern Canada and Greenland in search of warmer weather.

Reindeer can’t fly year-round. As winter approaches and food supplies dwindle, they begin losing weight. This sudden weight loss triggers a special exocrine gland that releases protease enzymes which begin converting the HeTP chemicals stored in heavy sarcomeric tissue into HeH3, a chemical combination lighter than pure helium gas! This ultralight gas is stored in large bladders below the anterior basal segment of the lungs surrounded by strong abdominal muscles, which regulate lift by changing the size of the bladder. Reindeer relax the muscles to allow the bladder to expand for more lift or contract them to compress the gas and return to the ground. Special hairs on the ends of a reindeer’s antlers act as sensors for balance and wind speed. Reindeer propel themselves forward when in flight by harnessing the magnetic field of the earth. Throughout the summer, they supplement their diet with wild mushrooms which are high in iron. This iron gets stored in their hooves and interacts well with the strong northern magnetism of Earth.

Of course, flying isn’t all reindeer games. While most commercial flights are well above the cruising altitude of reindeer, collisions are not unheard of. In 2004, a Skybus 355 Jetliner en route to Istanbul from Los Angeles lost thrust in one of its four engines, the one in which a reindeer got jammed. Since then, most airlines monitor the annual reindeer migration and divert flights as necessary.

Canadian legend has it that one famous toy maker once used reindeer to pull his sleigh after a major snowstorm prevented him from using his horses to get his sleigh of toys into town for the annual Christmas celebration. The reindeer lifted him above the deep snow and rooftops of the village to be able to get his toys to the children. He was too late for the celebration, but that didn’t stop him from delivering the toys to each house as the children slept. The rest is history.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of how reindeer are actually able to fly. Tune in next time to find out how Rudolph’s nose glows.

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