Santa's reindeer are ladies?

I received the following forward in email:

 

 

> > Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's
> > reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be
> > a girl.
> >
> > We should've known.  Only women would be able to drag a man in
> > a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

 

In researching this rather intriguing trivia, I found the following:

 

1. Here is the site which may have inspired the internet forward - it's pretty with music etc:

 

 

http://www.here4fun.com/christmas6p.htm

 

 

2. Another site gives some info about antlers although does not specify when the male drops his, only that the male sheds his antlers "in Winter" which could go from the end of November to the beginning/middle of February:

 

 

>>>>>Wild reindeer are found in Scandinavia and northern Russia.   Both male and female reindeer have antlers.  New antlers are fully grown by July, but do not harden until fall. These are the only members of the deer family (Cervidae) whose females grow antlers.  The antlers are covered with "velvet", vascularized tissue, in summer. The males drop their antlers in winter, while pregnant females usually retain their antlers until after they give birth in the spring. <<<<< 

 

This site also has photos of reindeers:

 

http://www.bearcountryusa.com/animals/reindeer.htm

 

According to this site, female reindeer antlers do weigh almost 40 lbs LESS than male antlers. 

 

We are left with a continuing mystery (when DO males really shed their antlers?) and some more problems.  The lifespan of a reindeer is only 10-15 years and I've heard about Santa since I was 3 years old, some 54 years ago ergo, he should have gone through several sets of reindeer since then.  Does the North Pole have a reindeer burial site?

 

Also photos of reindeers show both genders to have much larger antlers than Santa's reindeer.  And finally, most explanations of reindeer, observe that they are not so good for pulling sleds.  

 

So, how should we deal with this "shocking" news?

 

Here is an attempted explanation: :)

 

1. Literary license applies with the Christmas eve tale.

 

2. In addition to Rudolf's nose which served as a headlight, Santa's reindeer have many abilities that 'normal' reindeer do NOT have like being able to fly, therefore, they were likely Magical reindeer and could be male, female or no gender.

 

3. Santa's trip actually happens the beginning of December and the presents are then delivered to the Post Office which completes the delivery on Christmas eve - watch out for anthrax in your Christmas gifts this year!

 

4. Santa's reindeer are really flying horses with (antler) hats on.

 

Corollary: where do the um....horse droppings go when Santa is flying?

 

5. Has anyone really SEEN Santa in person?  The photos and paintings could have been 'changed' in computer renderings!  Heck, Oprah takes off about 50 lbs via the computer every month for the cover of the "O" Magazine - if Oprah can do it, why can't Santa?

 

In conclusion, the antler dilemma causes strong suspicions that Santa might be a myth and a waste of time - perhaps we should consider seeking the Christ child instead!

 

"Wise Men still seek Him"