Caribou running in snow, Alaska

Merry Christmas, deer friends!

Don't be surprised if these caribous take flight! Ever since Clement Clarke Moore assigned reindeer to be Santa's helpers in his 1823 poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas,' caribous—as they are called here in North America—have eagerly contributed to the Christmas celebration. It's no wonder that Father Christmas would pick them. If you're celebrating Christmas today, we wish you a merry one.