Learning from reindeer means learning to live. Yes, the Arctic even-toed ungulates can be considered a role model far beyond the Arctic Circle. People should definitely take an example from the behavior and abilities of this species of deer. The topic of energy consumption: Reindeer have biological external insulation in an efficiency class that allows a cardiovascular heat pump to be operated easily in the deer’s heating cellar without additional financial support. The reindeer engine runs on low-emission and presumably climate-neutral biofuels: a little bit of lichen, mosses, grass or fungi is enough to keep it running and to cover a decent distance and speed. It is also clear that Santa Claus would never have his sleigh powered by creatures that burn diesel or have an electric drive installed from an un-Christmassy factory run by the sinister elf Elon.
The animals’ list of virtues is far from complete. The semi-domesticated deer have selflessly provided the Sámi and other indigenous peoples with meat, fur, bones and horn for thousands of years, which they then used to make food, clothing and tools. The animals often give the rest of the world red-nosed Christmas kitsch made based on their own image. Keyword role model: In the spirit of Scandinavian principles of equality, gender equality prevails in the reindeer kingdom. Among Nordic deer, females also have antlers, which sets them apart from most, if not all, of their fellow deer in the world. As a social creature, the reindeer lives solidarity. In herds of up to tens of thousands of animals, people provide each other with protection and ensure that no animal, whether small or large, has to be lonely – especially at Christmas. The reindeer can be considered a social democratic model organism of the Arctic fauna.
Researchers are now adding another line to the long list of reindeer’s enviable virtues: Like them in the specialist journal Current Biology to report, the animals are apparently able to chew or ruminate while they sleep. With this technology, the pair-hoofed efficiency miracles apparently save energy. Multitasking and motivation, hats off to you! How practical that would be, humans also had this ability. The colleagues in the canteen could chatter loudly to themselves or the family could get into a fight at the Christmas table: the pine trees would grind unmoved, chop up the food and supply the body with fresh energy, while the mind would also recover from everything.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that well – and resentment could slowly arise: Psychologists know that people react to overly virtuous fellow creatures with anger and rejection. That’s why we should point out a small reindeer flaw at the end in order to make the polar super high performers appear a little more approachable. Reindeer skins shed at least as much as a Nordmann fir that is still in the Christmas tree stand at Easter. These magnificent animals can be forgiven, of course, what else. On that note: Happy Holidays!