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Anorak News | Scientists prove Rudolph the Reindeer’s nose does glow red

Scientists prove Rudolph the Reindeer’s nose does glow red

by | 26th, December 2012

YOU still want proof Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer is real? You want scientific proof? The boffins tell us that reindeer have “an extremely dense array of blood vessels, packed into the nose in order to supply blood and regulate body temperature in extreme environments.”

They discovered that the reindeer had a 25% higher concentration of blood vessels in their noses, on average. They also put the reindeer on a treadmill and used infrared imaging to measure what parts of their bodies shed the most heat after exercise. The nose, along with the hind legs, reached temperatures as high as 75°F—relatively hot for a reindeer—indicating that one of the main functions of all this blood flow is to help regulate temperature, bringing large volumes of blood close to the surface when the animals are overheated, so its heat can radiate out into the air.

And you thought that red nose was a safety feature for low-flying aircraft…



Posted: 26th, December 2012 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink