Reindeer: Myth and Reality

Around this time of year, there is no end to the movies, songs, stories, and images, featuring Santa and his sleigh, pulled by his flying reindeer. Reindeer have become so closely tied with the holiday season and the mythology of Santa Claus (at least in some parts of the world) that some people aren't aware they are real animals! But how did reindeer come to be associated with Christmas? What are reindeer really like? This week, Sara and Casey discuss the myth and reality of reindeer, including the real-life practice of reindeer herding still practiced in some indigenous cultures today.