Most people know Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose - but why? Medical researchers say they've now found the answer. The secret to Rudolph's rosy schnozzle is the dense network. We answer the question "Why does Rudolph have a red nose?" with help from The British Medical Journal (BMJ) and Live Science.
Scientists from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam in the Netherlands and the University of Rochester in New York conducted an observational study of reindeer noses. Rudolph, the star of the reindeer, first made an appearance in 1939 in a book written by Robert L May. Rudolph the Red.
In 1939, illustrator and children's book author Robert May created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The character was an instant hit-2.5 million copies of May's booklet were circulated within. The most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph, had a red nose.
But he likely wasn't the only reindeer affected. Reindeer, it turns out, have 25 percent more capillaries carrying blood in their noses. The increased blood flow can turn the nose a rosy red during exertion.
It's no wonder Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer is the most famous member of Santa's team. In addition to being a skilled flyer, his nose - as his name suggests - glows bright red. This unusual variation on the reindeer nasal prominence has all kinds of benefits, the most important, of course, involves guiding Santa's sleigh.
According to folklore, if the weather's ever bad on Christmas Eve. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a Christmas icon, immortalised in books, songs and films. But the cause of the beloved cervid's crimson nose has often been the subject of festive debate.
Watch Erica McAlister, Senior Curator of Diptera at the Museum, hint at why Rudolph's nose might glow so bright. Meet the snot bot Reindeer suffer with symptoms similar to a cold, such as coughing and. Popularly known as Santa's ninth reindeer from the 1930's book by Robert L.
May, Rudolph is a young buck who has only adolescent antlers and a shining red nose. Although he gets scrutiny for it, the radiance of Rudolph's nose is so abundant that it brightens Santa's path as the reindeers fly through the harsh winter climate. Why Rudolph has a red nose: Scientists show the reindeer's shiny schnoz helps him pull Santa's heavy sleigh round the world - Study shows Rudolph's nose is shiny since it is highly provided with bloodstream vessels to safeguard it from freezing and regulate brain temperature Printed: 23:30 GMT, 17 December 2012 Updated: 23:30 GMT, 17 December 2012 While the rest of the reindeers might.
This heats up the nose. And what does a hot nose look like in a thermal camera? Bright and glowing. So, while Rudolph wouldn't have a light bulb on the end of his nose, his nose would indeed glow.
Want to listen to the basics about reindeer's glowing noses? Check out our video, with Dr. Karla Moeller: Can Reindeer Noses Glow Red?