How do reindeer see in the snow? Veterinary eye expert Chris Dixon has lifted the lid on what vision is really like for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.
How good is a reindeer's sight?
Chris Dixon explained, unlike humans, Arctic reindeer can see ultraviolet (UV) light – which means their vision is perfectly suited for their native snowy environment, and they’ll have no problem seeing the way ahead if we end up with a white Christmas.
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“While we might struggle to distinguish between snow and hidden objects, reindeer excel at this because UV light, reflected vividly by snow, makes camouflaged objects stand out against the wintry backdrop.
“So, in their native environment, their ability to see UV light helps them to spot predators, such as wolves, hiding and identify food sources such as lichen, which is a key food source for them.
He said: “In summer, their reflective eye tissue, which is called tapetum lucidum, shines golden, but in the dim, purplish winter light, it shifts to a deep blue.
“This change improves their ability to capture what little light exists during the endless polar night”