National Geographic's Favorite Reindeer Pictures

Move Over, Rudolph: National Geographic's Favorite Reindeer Pictures

<p><a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/caribou/">Reindeer</a>&nbsp;pull Inuit mushers across&nbsp;<a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/alaska-guide/">Alaska</a>'s snowy terrain in a photo that appeared in the December 1919&nbsp;<i>National Geographic</i>&nbsp;magazine.</p>

Alaskan Caravan

Reindeer pull Inuit mushers across Alaska's snowy terrain in a photo that appeared in the December 1919 National Geographic magazine.

Photograph by Lomen Brothers, National Geographic

With Christmas just around the corner, we delved into the National Geographic photo archive to take a closer look at the animal that helps pull Santa's sleigh.

Reindeer—which are called caribou in North America—play an important role in Christmas folklore. But the deer is more than mere myth.

In the Arctic, indigenous peoples such as the Nenets rely on reindeer for food, transportation, and clothing year-round. Wild reindeer—which live in Scandinavia, Siberia, Greenland, Alaska, and Canada—also benefit their ecosystems. For instance, they serve as prey for polar bears and wolves. (Watch video: "Walking With Reindeer.")

Read This Next

See what a year looks like in the fastest-warming place on Earth
These 4 animals are radioactive
What color are reindeer eyes? Depends on the season.

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet