Real Rudolph

Real Rudolph by Tilly Smith. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780750942836.

People worldwide recognize the names of the animals which help Santa Claus deliver his presents - Rudolf, Dasher, Comet, Dancer, Cupid, Prancer, Donner, Blitzen and Vixen. But what do we know about these all - important bearers of gifts? Many assume that they are just deer, unaware that they are one of many species of the deer family to be found in different ecological niches across the world. This book is a factual journey into the life of the Real Rudolph. From the archaeological evidence which intricately entwines reindeer and man to the myths that have created the association between Christmas and reindeer; from reindeers extraordinary adaptation to the worlds coldest climates to their reintroduction into Antarctica, this intriguing natural history reveals just what it is that makes the reindeer such a special member of the animal kingdom. Whether the wild American caribou or the domesticated reindeer of Scandinavia and Russia, the reindeer has been a vital ingredient to mans survival in the Arctic. Written by Tilly Smith, a specialist who owns the only reindeer herd in Britain, this is a fascinating and informative read. It explains the facts and myths that surround the animal everybody has heard of but few have seen.