During the holiday season, Rudolph the famous reindeer receives an abundance of carrots. However, what about the remaining days of the year?

Finding food in a cold, barren landscape is challenging, but researchers from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland report that reindeer eyes may have evolved to allow them to easily spot their preferred meal.

According to Nathaniel Dominy, a professor of anthropology at Dartmouth and co-author of a recent study in the journal i-Perception, reindeer’s vision is what truly distinguishes them, despite their reputation for pulling Santa’s sleigh. This serves as additional proof of their unique abilities.

In an interview, he stated that although they have not received much attention in the history of visual neuroscience, they are now in the spotlight due to their intriguing visual system.

For years, researchers have been aware of the color-changing properties of the reflective tissue in reindeer eyes, which shifts from greenish gold during the summer to a bright blue during the winter. This transformation is believed to enhance their ability to see in the dim light of the polar winter. However, there has been confusion surrounding the fact that reindeer can also perceive light in the ultraviolet range, unlike most other mammals.

According to Dominy, many animals that are active during the day try to avoid UV light because it can be harmful. This light is also reflected by snow, posing a problem for humans and causing snow blindness.

The evolution of reindeer vision may have been driven by the need to protect against predators, such as spotting white wolves in a snowy environment. However, a recent study suggests that there may be another reason for this development: finding food.

Reindeer primarily survive on pale-colored reindeer moss, which is not technically a moss but instead a form of lichen found in crisp, rug-like clusters throughout the northern regions.

Scientists journeyed to the Cairngorms mountain range in the Scottish Highlands, where there are over 1,500 types of lichen and the country’s sole reindeer population. They discovered that reindeer moss can absorb UV rays, causing the white lichen, which is difficult for humans to discern against the snow, to appear as dark spots to the reindeer.

According to Dominy, being a reindeer gives you an edge because you can see your surroundings and avoid aimless wandering. By walking in a direct path, you can reach food more efficiently and save energy. These animals are in dire need of sustenance, so having access to enough lichen gives them a competitive advantage.

Juan Jose Negro is an expert in evolutionary ecology and conservation biology at the Spanish Council for Scientific Research. Although he primarily studies birds of prey, he was captivated by the recent reindeer research.

“I have a deep appreciation for any work that explores the relationship between colors and vision,” he expressed. “Whenever I read the works of others, I find inspiration that leads to new ideas. With reindeer, specifically, it has sparked a desire to focus more on this aspect of the color spectrum.”

He stated that although there may not be any immediate advantages for medicine in the research, it does contribute to our understanding of how animals adapt to challenging environments.

Dominy also emphasized this idea, adding that it also has consequences for humans. There has been extensive study on the medicinal properties of lichens due to their antioxidants. The fact that reindeer eyes can absorb UV light implies that there may be a protective mechanism in place, according to Dominy.

According to him, the eyes of reindeer contain ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, which is highly beneficial for repairing cells that have been harmed.

Keeping this in consideration, Dominy is revising his suggestions that he presented in a 2015 publication investigating the reason behind why a reindeer’s nose would be perfect for leading Santa’s sleigh.

In the past, he suggested that kids leave Rudolph cookies and other high-calorie snacks to compensate for the heat lost through his nose. However, now he advises to focus on Rudolph’s eyes and reserve the milk and cookies for Santa.

He suggested that the most beneficial food for maintaining the eye health of reindeer would be something high in vitamin C. Orange juice and carrots would make excellent treats for them on Christmas Eve.

Source: wral.com