Joke

On Tuesday, December 12th, I said Santa's reindeer are female. Here's a rebuttal:

OK, I don't know where to start. C'mon, this is a sexist joke perpetrated by those who would have us believe they are not sexist. I'll try to find a place to start. Hmm.

Listen up. Alaska has no native reindeer, as they come from Asia and Europe. Although Alaska has some reindeer farms, they are privately owned and Alaska Fish&Game would have little to do with them. Now, let's assume Santa is a competent breeder of reindeer. Breeding season runs roughly from the middle of September to the middle of January and often is called simply 'rut'. Breeding males in rut would not be used to pull a sleigh at Christmas for three reasons needed for breeding season; not in prime health because of the rigors of chasing females; and not trustworthy during personality change caused by rut.

Similarly, breeding females would not be used to pull a sleigh because they need to be in prime health for breeding.

If Santa can't use breeding males or breeding females to pull his sleigh at Christmas, what's left?

Ah, the true answer, verified by checking with my reindeer farming neighbors and buddies, is ... steers [geldings]!

Reindeer steers have antlers at Christmas, do not change personality significantly during rut, and are not needed for breeding.

There you have it. Santa's reindeer are males .. or at least they were.