Is Rudolph a girl? The reindeer fact that is blowing people’s festive minds

Santa's sleigh is guided by a ... girl squad?!

By now, you all know the nine reindeer who are at the front of Santa's sleigh. If not, do another lap of your local shopping centre and let those Christmas carols sink in. 

There’s Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and yes, even red-nosed Rudolph. But here’s what you didn’t know... 

They are all female! 

Yup, the original holiday reindeer — first introduced in the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, which became better known as The Night Before Christmas later on - are often thought of as brothers. It’s never been officially confirmed but the vibe suggests it.

But thanks to science, we now know we’ve been making the wrong assumption for hundreds of years. Men have been taking the credit for pulling Santa’s sled. But it’s not true. 

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Don't get it twisted, this is the ultimate girls-squad. Source: iStock

So who’s sleighing it? 

One TikToker has solved the Christmas mystery of who Santa’s reindeer are. The hard-working, present-carrying reindeer are in fact, female reindeer. 

“Male reindeer lose their antlers in winter, and women don’t,” Louise Boyce explained in her video video that now has 2.5 million views.

“So Santa’s sleigh is actually being pulled by a team of women. Of course it is!”

“I knew it,” said Mums everywhere.

According to Live Science, male reindeer shed their antlers at the end of the mating season in early December, while females sport their thinner antlers throughout the winter. Females drop their antlers after giving birth in the spring. This gives the expectant mothers a means to protect food resources through the harsh weather.

That means that Santa’s reindeer might also be pregnant for the Christmas Eve flight!! I mean, COME ON!

Another fun fact to share around the Christmas table this year is that in preparation for winter, female reindeer build up to nearly 50% body fat. Their male counterparts? They are only carrying around about 5% body fat, as they deplete the majority of their energy reserves during the previous mating season. 

Female reindeer are also just built better for Santa’s around-the-world journey.

Of course, they are! 

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Sleigh Queens

Delivering presents around the world in one night is a job for females, no offence to all our male readers, but it’s true. Breaking the Santa bubble, think about who buys the presents in your household…

Naturally, TikTokers had a field day finally seeing the truth come out. 

“OMG!! That’s why it’s called a SLAY!!!” one wrote. 

“That’s why he never gets lost!” another pointed out. 

“Mrs. Claus and the Reindeer keeping Santa in line and getting Christmas done RIGHT,” a third wrote. 

And finally, “I mean.. Donner is the only half questionable name.. and even that could be a Donna lol” 

While we don’t want to mess with any of the classic Christmas carols, maybe next year Beyonce could release… Who Run Christmas - Girls! 

In a world where mums and women bring the magic of Christmas - planning Christmas parties, baking the cookies, wrapping the gifts, and moving that damn elf every single night - it’s no surprise that female reindeer are doing their part in the story of Christmas, as Santa Claus’ leading ladies.

Originally published as Is Rudolph a girl? The reindeer fact that is blowing people’s festive minds