Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Matthew on 21/12/2009 18:30:02

Title: Why is rudolph's nose red?
Post by: Matthew on 21/12/2009 18:30:02

Matthew asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hello Naked Scientists, Merry Christmas.

In the spirit of Xmas and science, what is the best possible explanation for the "Red Nose" feature of Rudolf the Reindeer?

Could it be his thermoregulatory centre at work or is it something else?

What do you think?

Title: Why is rudolph's nose red?
Post by: AllenG on 21/12/2009 23:12:53

I would say bioluminescence but Rudolf can fly too, so I say he escaped from Superman's private zoo in the Fortress of Solitude. Or maybe he's from the bottle city of Kandor and Rudolf is just his earth name and his real name is something like Rud-El.

Title: Why is rudolph's nose red?
Post by: chris on 21/12/2009 23:18:09

We discussed this on the Naked Scientists back in the early days!

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/news/news/1070/

Chris

Title: Why is rudolph's nose red?
Post by: JimBob on 22/12/2009 22:02:16

It could also be because Rudolph is a very bad alcoholic!

Alternatively, he may have Rosacea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosacea)because he came from Ireland

But there is a basic flaw here. Male reindeer, as all male  members of the deer family, shed their antlers during the winter. The females of the species are quite unique, in that although smaller, their antlers are the only antlers in the deer family to be retained year-round (That may need to be fact checked - not sure about the dik-dik.)   

THAT MEANS ALL THE REINDEER THAT PULL SANTA'S SLEIGH ARE WOMEN !!!!!

 

Title: Why is rudolph's nose red?
Post by: chris on 24/12/2009 04:18:52

So presumably santa has a dustpan and brush in the back in case of minor "skirmishes" while parking; I wonder if the handbrake or indicators also get left on for extended periods... ;)