NOTE: This brief explanation was compiled by Dr. J. Jacobson Westerly, the primary veterinary physicist responsible for Santa’s fleet of flying reindeer. It is not intended for medical, breeding or engineering purposes. It is strictly intended to make sense of an issue that has confused people for centuries. Anyone wishing to acquire professional knowledge or embark on a career in the field needs to attend an accredited university program in veterinary physics. This paper is not adequate training nor a reasonable prerequisite for such a career.

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The flying reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus Aves) is a species of deer native to Novaya Zemlya, an archipelago of northern Russia, though examples can also be found in Greenland, Northern Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia.

ANATOMY & SPECIES IDENTIFICATION:

Flying reindeer are distinguished from their non-flying cousins (R.Tarandus Terrans) by several features.

* The body of the flying reindeer (Aves) is slightly longer and more tapered than non-flying cousins (Terrans.) It has been noted that the Aves’ shape resembles that of a modern airplane fuselage, causing speculation that this may have been the initial inspiration for modern aeronautical design.
* The antlers of male Aves are substantially more aerodynamically shaped than those of R. Tarandus Terrans, allowing the flying reindeer to steer during mid-flight. The simple mechanism also generates aerodynamic lifting force to support the reindeer in flight by deflecting air downward as the sleigh and reindeer move forward.
* The tails of Aves are substantially longer and appear "fuller" than those of other subspecies, stabilizing the animal on its roll axis and allowing for control and shifting of the rotation about that axis.
* Flying reindeer are substantially more likely than other subspecies of Tarandus to suffer from Rosacean Rhinitis, resulting in reddening around the snout area.

These primary characteristics allow R. Tarandus Aves to be identified easily in the wild.

MECHANISM OF FLYING:

Like flying fish and flying squirrels, flying reindeer do not technically fly, but instead leap in long arcs that take them on short, gliding flights through the air. The extremely strong back legs of the flying reindeer allows them to make great leaps into the air; then (as with the epidermis of flying squirrels) the flying reindeer's tail spreads out to increase lift. In male flying reindeer, the antlers are used for steering. Female flying reindeer, lacking antlers, use their flat, wing-like hooves to steer and stabilize their flight. Largely due to extremely efficient tail aerodynamics, flying reindeer can glide for up to several miles at a time, allowing them to cover great distances quickly. In instances in which there is no land for the reindeer to leap from, they are actually able to use their rear legs to stabilize their front legs, allowing the front legs to spring forward with enough force to continue their propulsion through space.

FUEL FOR FLIGHT:

The digestive system of the R. Tarandus Aves has evolved to maximize the thrust from gaseous by-products resulting from the digestion of certain fibrous, high-carbohydrate foods. As digestive enzymes break down these foods - such as beans, corn and sugar cane - a scum like substance is formed and combines with the naturally occurring carbon dioxide resulting from decay, which is then turned into fuel that propels the reindeer with remarkable efficiency. It is worth noting that this process is similar to making modern bio-fuels from algae, and representatives from leading biofuel producers have spent a great deal of time analyzing the digestive system and process of the R. Tarandus Aves in order to apply similar processes in the mass production of biofuels. It is widely thought that this will be a key to solving the impending energy crisis.

EVOLUTION:

It is generally believed that the evolutionary development of the flying reindeer was guided in part by the a so-called "evolutionary arms race" between the reindeer ancestor species and the "leaping polar bear", commonly referred to as the "bear-frog" (Ursus maritimus salientia), now thought to be extinct. The exact reason for the survival of the reindeer over other species is unknown, but it is commonly thought that their ability to bond with humans led them to be protected and nurtured and ultimately led to the mutually beneficial relationship between Flying Reindeer and Santa that is believed to be the primary delivery mechanism for Christmas celebrations around the world.

STEALTH MODE:

One of the most closely held secrets is how Santa and his reindeer are able to fly at supersonic speeds without attracting the kind of attention that would expose them once and for all.

Indeed, flight at supersonic speed creates more noise than flight at subsonic speeds, due to the phenomenon of sonic booms. This is not a problem when they are flying over oceans or vast prairies and deserts. However, it is necessary for them to slow down as they approach heavily populated areas because they do not want their approach to be detected.

Fortunately, sound perception can be looked at as a phenomena of symmetry and balance, and both Santa and reindeer are equipped with a variety of sound balancing mechanisms that are of a high enough tenor to balance out the bass of a sonic boom. Although the sleigh-bells are the most familiar of these tools, the singing of Christmas carols, and Santa’s trademark laughter in flight both serve the purposes of balancing sound, spreading holiday cheer, and distracting folks in Santa’s path.