As Christmas approaches, there’s no better time to meet the stars of the season: Reindeer!
Beyond their role as Santa’s helpers, reindeer are fascinating creatures with rich histories and unique adaptations. Let’s explore what makes them truly magical and why the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is the perfect place to celebrate their story this holiday season.
A History as Magical as Christmas Itself
The Columbus Zoo wouldn’t exist without reindeer! In 1927, the Wolfe family, who owned the Columbus Dispatch, introduced reindeer to Columbus for a festive Christmas parade. Their popularity inspired the Wolfe family to donate the reindeer, starting what would become the beloved Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. This historic connection to the season’s most iconic animal makes the zoo a fitting place to celebrate reindeer today, nearly 100 years later.
Read More about the Columbus Zoo's History
Fascinating Reindeer Facts
Reindeer and caribou are the same species, Rangifer tarandus, though reindeer typically refer to domesticated or semi-domesticated subspecies.
- Native to the northern reaches of North America, Europe, and Asia, reindeer are specially adapted to survive in extreme climates.
- At the Columbus Zoo, our reindeer serve as ambassadors for their wild cousins, helping to educate guests about their ecology, unique behaviors, and conservation challenges.
- Did you know a male reindeer’s antlers can grow up to 51 inches long, while females’ can reach 20 inches? These majestic antlers are shed and regrown annually.
Built for Arctic Survival
Reindeer are true survivalists, perfectly suited for life in icy environments. Their dense double-layered coat not only keeps them warm but also helps them float while swimming across rivers or icy waters. Their hooves adapt to seasonal changes, becoming spongy in the summer for marshy terrain and hard in the winter for gripping ice. These features, combined with their broad hooves that act like snowshoes, allow them to thrive in habitats most creatures would avoid. Even their noses are remarkable—covered in fur to warm cold air before it reaches their lungs and minimize heat loss when exhaling.
Where Do Caribou Live?
In the wild, caribou inhabit tundra, forests, and mountain ranges across northern North America, Europe, and Asia. While their range once spanned even further, habitat loss has limited their distribution. Caribou are vital to ecosystems and local cultures in regions where they roam, serving as a food source and cultural icon.
At the Columbus Zoo, guests can observe these remarkable creatures up close and discover how they differ from their wild counterparts in the beloved North America Trek region. Our reindeer enjoy a specialized diet of alfalfa and grain and are cared for by expert keepers who ensure their health and happiness year-round.
Did You Hear That?
When reindeer walk, the tendons in their legs produce a distinctive clicking sound. This may have inspired the classic Christmas lyric, “Up on the Rooftop.” Scientists believe this sound helps herds stay connected while traveling through snowy tundra. It’s just one of the many fascinating ways reindeer communicate and thrive in their environment. From snorts and grunts to the soft bleats of calves calling their mothers, reindeer are surprisingly vocal and social animals, perfectly adapted to their icy homes.
Plan Your Visit
There’s no better place to embrace the holiday spirit than at the Columbus Zoo’s Wildlights celebration. Wander through millions of twinkling lights, enjoy festive music, and meet the stars of the season—our reindeer...Abby, Figgy Pudding, and Candy Cane! Whether you’re a nature lover or a Christmas enthusiast, this experience will leave you feeling inspired.
Wildlights Dates: November 22 through January 5
Celebrate the season and support wildlife conservation in one magical visit. The reindeer are waiting to make your holiday unforgettable!
Book Your Reindeer Experience Today
Take your love for reindeer to the next level with the Reindeer Experience, an unforgettable behind-the-scenes encounter. Learn how these animals are cared for, hear from their keepers, and even get the chance to feed them!
This unique opportunity lets you connect with the holiday’s most iconic creatures in a meaningful way. The Reindeer Experience is especially popular during Wildlights, so be sure to book your spot early. It’s a magical way to make memories and deepen your appreciation for reindeer this season.
Conservation in Action
Despite their adaptations for survival, reindeer face growing threats from habitat loss, overhunting, and climate change. The Columbus Zoo actively supports conservation initiatives, such as the Arrow Lakes Caribou Society’s Maternity Pen Project. This program provides safe, predator-free environments for pregnant caribou to birth and raise their calves, increasing survival rates. Zoo veterinarians also travel to assist with calving, demonstrating how zoos can directly impact wildlife conservation.
By visiting the Columbus Zoo, you’re contributing to these efforts, as funds from admissions and memberships help support vital projects worldwide.
