Reindeer, Lapland, Finland 23 Dec 2025

Reindeer, Lapland, Finland

Few creatures evoke the magic of the holidays quite like the reindeer. Also known as caribou, they are the spirit animals of Christmas lovers—and they rock it. Sturdy and sure-footed, they"ve been pulling Santa"s sleigh ever since Clement Clarke Moore cast them in the role in his 1823 poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas." And they were born for it. Their hooves shrink in winter to expose a gripping rim, then expand in warmer months for better traction. Still not impressed? Consider this: reindeer don"t have an internal clock. Instead, their melatonin—the hormone that regulates sleep—adjusts to light and darkness, helping them stay awake through endless nights of gift delivery. They carry Santa through the air, excel on land and move effortlessly through icy waters, thanks to their strong swimming skills.

© Roberto Moiola/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Christmas in the cloister
23 Dec 2023Festivus
23 Dec 2024Celebrating Festivus

More Desktop Wallpapers:

12 Oct 2023Palouse region, Idaho, USA
Protecting Earths biodiversity for everyone
4 Sep 2024Dusky eagle-owls, Pakistan
Colors of spring
9 Jun 2024Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Navarra, Spain
21 Dec 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia
23 Dec 2023Festivus
In the foothills of Snowdon
26 Jun 2025Horse Head Rock, New South Wales, Australia
In hot water
6 Jan 2024Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
1 Jun 2025World Reef Awareness Day
27 Aug 2025World Lake Day
13 Mar 2024Lake Magadi, Kenya
Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Glasto turns 50
26 Apr 2024Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Let the Great Backyard Bird Count begin!
Hovering over harmonious horticulture
A one-of-a-kind splash
3 Nov 2024International Day for Biosphere Reserves
This blue succulent has spirit
Beauty by the bay
31 Oct 2024Happy Halloween!
15 Mar 2024Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, USA
12 Oct 2024World Migratory Bird Day
12 Jun 2025Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States
10 Jan 2025Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
Birthplace of the Renaissance
When only a hug will do