Christmas animals – an inventory of animals related to Christmas, with photos and details.
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Animals play a central half in Christmas celebrations in lots of elements of the world. On this web page we check out animals related to Christmas. We’ll discover out what half they play in Yuletide celebrations, and in addition uncover fascinating details in regards to the animals themselves…
Christmas Animals Record
FREE Printable Christmas Animals Quiz Worksheet
Reindeer
- Scientific identify: Rangifer tarandus
- Conservation standing: Susceptible
Reindeer are giant deer present in chilly, northerly areas within the northern hemisphere. In North America, reindeer are often known as ‘caribou’.
The antlers of the male reindeer are the second-largest of all deer; solely the moose’s are bigger. Reindeer / caribou are the one deer species wherein females have antlers.
Reindeer (caribou) in Canada make the longest migration of any (non-flying) land animal. In a single yr they’ll journey so far as 3,000 miles / 5,000 km.
Reindeer have turn out to be carefully related to Christmas for the reason that early nineteenth century. Within the conventional festive legend, Santa Claus’s sleigh is pulled by a crew of 9 reindeer: Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer, Vixen, and Rudolph, the ‘red-nosed reindeer’.
Donkey
- Scientific identify: Equus africanus asinus
- Conservation standing: Home
The donkey is a member of the household Equidae, which can be residence to horses, asses and zebras.
Donkeys are descended from the African wild ass, a critically endangered species present in deserts and different harsh, dry areas in East Africa.
Donkeys have been first domesticated round 5,000 years in the past, and proceed for use as pack animals in lots of elements of the world at the moment.
Donkeys are one of many animals most strongly related to Christmas; Mary rode a donkey as she traveled to Bethlehem with Joseph.
- You’ll find out extra about donkeys on this web page: Donkey Information
Polar Bear
- Scientific identify: Ursus maritimus
- Conservation standing: Susceptible
The polar bear is a member of the bear household, Ursidae. It’s present in and across the Arctic, and has a lot of variations for dwelling on this chilly, inhospitable area.
Of the eight species of bear, the polar bear is the most important (on common) and probably the most carnivorous. (You may see all eight forms of bear on this web page: Varieties of Bears.)
The white fur of the polar bear gives camouflage towards the snow and ice. Beneath this cozy fur coat is a thick layer of fats, which prevents warmth from escaping.
The polar bear’s big ft assist it to stroll over the snow with out sinking, and in addition assist it to swim.
Though the polar bear isn’t a conventional Christmas animal, it’s related to snow (and due to this fact, winter) and sometimes seems on Christmas playing cards.
Robin
- Scientific identify: Erithacus rubecula
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
An animal related to Christmas within the British Isles is the robin. This small fowl is a standard sight in woods and gardens within the British Isles and all through a lot of Europe.
The robin is related to Christmas as a result of it is among the most frequently-seen backyard birds throughout the winter months.
The robin is definitely recognized by its purple breast. One other species with a purple breast, the American robin, is so-named as a result of it reminded European settlers in North America of the European robin. Though each birds are referred to as robins, they belong to completely different households and are solely distantly associated.
Cardinal (Northern)
- Scientific identify: Cardinalis cardinalis
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The cardinal is a putting North American fowl recognized for its vibrant purple plumage, making it simply recognizable and iconic in North America.
Male cardinals are particularly eye-catching, with good crimson feathers, a particular crest on their heads, and a black masks round their eyes. In distinction, females have a extra subdued look with a delicate brownish-red coloration.
These birds usually are not solely admired for his or her putting look but in addition for his or her melodic and clear whistling songs, that are a pleasant a part of the spring and summer season soundscape.
Cardinals are year-round residents in lots of elements of america and Canada, including a contact of shade and allure to gardens and woodlands all year long.
The colourful purple plumage of cardinals makes them a well-liked fowl to symbolize the vacation season.
Turkey
- Scientific identify: Meleagris gallopavo
- Conservation standing: Least Concern / Home
Turkey varieties a part of the normal Christmas meal in lots of English-speaking international locations. Turkeys farmed for meals are domesticated wild turkeys. The domesticated turkey and wild turkey are the identical species, with the scientific identify Meleagris gallopavo.
Wild turkeys are native to North America, the place they’re the most important recreation fowl. Regardless of their giant measurement they’re quick, highly effective flyers.
Male turkeys are round twice the scale of females, and have purple wattles (fleshy growths) on the neck and colourful, iridescent feathers. Females are brown / grey in shade.
Partridge
Partridges are members of the fowl household Phasianidae, which additionally contains pheasants, chickens, turkeys and a number of other different teams of gamebirds. Partridges are Outdated World species, and usually are not native to North America, though the grey partridge has been launched to the continent.
The partridge has turn out to be related to Christmas because of its look within the English carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, wherein a ‘partridge in a pear tree’ is among the twelve presents despatched to the singer by their ‘real love’.
Actual life partridges are ground-nesting birds, and wouldn’t normally be seen in pear bushes!
Turtle Dove (European)
- Scientific identify: Streptopelia turtur
- Conservation standing: Susceptible
The turtle dove, just like the ‘partridge in a pear tree’, is one other of the presents talked about within the Christmas track ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.
The turtle dove is a small member of the household Columbidae, which incorporates all pigeons and doves.
It’s unlikely that the turtle dove is definitely seen in Europe at Christmas, as it’s a migratory species that spends the winter in southern Africa.
As we speak, due each to searching and a change in farming strategies, the turtle dove is threatened, and has the conservation standing of ‘Susceptible’.‘
‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ could also be a conventional English track, however the turtle dove is on the point of extinction within the UK.
Camel
Camels are members of the genus Camelus. There are three species of camel: the dromedary, which has one hump; and the Bactrian and wild Bactrian, each of which have two humps.
Each the dromedary and the Bactrian camel are domesticated animals, and are used for transport and as pack animals. The wild Bactrian camel is discovered within the wild in Asia, and is Critically Endangered.
The three camel species are members of the mammal household Camelidae, which additionally contains animals comparable to llamas and alpacas.
The Three Smart Males, or Magi, are mentioned to have traveled to Bethlehem on camels. The animals are sometimes included within the Nativity scene.
You’ll find out extra about camels on the next pages:
Sheep
- Scientific identify: Ovis aries
- Conservation standing: Home
Sheep are mammals within the subfamily Caprinae, which additionally comprises goats. Caprinae is a part of the household Bovidae, which incorporates associated animals comparable to bison, buffalo, antelopes and cattle. Members of this household are often known as bovids.
Male sheep are often known as ‘rams‘; feminine sheep are often known as ‘ewes‘.
Like all bovids, sheep are hoofed animals with a posh digestive system that permits them to dwell on vegetation (comparable to grass) that different animals would discover onerous to digest. By regurgitating their meals and chewing it for a second time as ‘cud’, sheep can break down these powerful vegetation.
Sheep are a conventional a part of the Christmas Nativity scene. Within the Gospel of Luke, angels announce the delivery of Jesus to a bunch of shepherds who’re tending their flock.
Goat
- Scientific identify: Capra aegagrus hircus
- Conservation standing: Home
Goats, like sheep, are members of the subfamily Caprinae. (Caprinae is a part of the household Bovidae, which comprises associated hooved animals comparable to cattle and antelopes.)
The home goat is descended from the wild goat Capra hircus, a species nonetheless present in Asia.
In Scandinavia and different elements of northern Europe, the Yuletide Goat performs a component in conventional Christmas celebrations.
Yuletide goat ornaments are positioned below the Christmas tree, and bigger Yuletide goats made from straw could also be seen as a part of a city’s decorations.
Wren
- Scientific identify: Troglodytes troglodytes
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The wren performs a component within the conventional Christmas festivities of Eire, Wales, the Isle of Man and different European international locations. In some areas, the day after Christmas is called ‘Wren Day’.
Historically, an actual wren was hunted after which paraded by the city with a view to gather cash for festivities. This custom has a number of variations, though at the moment an imitation wren is used instead of an actual one.
The Eurasian wren, the fowl round which the traditions are based mostly, is a tiny brown species with a surprisingly loud name. It’s one in all eighty-eight members of the wren household, Troglodytidae, and the one one present in Europe. It’s the third-smallest fowl discovered within the UK.
Penguins
Penguins are flightless birds discovered primarily in chilly, southerly areas of the Southern Hemisphere.
Just one species of penguin, the Galápagos penguin, is discovered within the Northern Hemisphere. It lives on the Galápagos Islands, that are positioned on the Equator.
Though clumsy on land, penguins are glorious swimmers. As an alternative of flying within the air, these aquatic birds use their quick, highly effective wings to ‘fly’ by the water.
Penguins are related to Christmas as a result of they dwell in chilly climates. They’re usually seen on Christmas playing cards alongside polar bears and reindeer. In actual life this may be not possible, as most penguins actually dwell on the different aspect of the world to polar bears and reindeer!
(Polar bears and reindeer dwell in Arctic areas within the Northern Hemisphere; penguins dwell round Antarctica and different areas of the Southern Hemisphere.)
Santa Claus would positively not be capable of see penguins from the window of his North Pole workshop!
The most important penguin species is the emperor penguin, which reaches heights of as much as 1 m / 39 in.
- You’ll find out extra about penguins on this web page: Penguin Information
- You may see photos and details on all of the various kinds of penguin on this web page: Penguin Sorts
- You may see extra Antarctic animals on this web page: Antarctic Animals
Ox
- Scientific identify: Bos taurus
- Conservation standing: Home
The ox, along with the ass (or donkey) is a part of a conventional Christmas nativity scene. Each animals are talked about within the E-book of Isaiah.
Oxen are domesticated cattle which are utilized in a lot of roles, together with transporting items and pulling ploughs. Cattle have been first domesticated over 10,000 years in the past.
Boar
- Scientific identify: Sus scrofa
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The wild boar is a big member of the pig household Suidae. It’s discovered all through a lot of Europe and Asia and in elements of Africa. The wild boar has additionally been launched to North America and Australia.
A boar was historically a part of the Yuletide feast in Nordic international locations. Norsemen would place their palms on the Yuletide Boar and make oaths which they must fulfil.
As we speak, pork remains to be a conventional dish throughout the Christmas interval in Norway.
Rooster
- Scientific identify: Gallus gallus domesticus
- Conservation standing: Home
In Spain and Spanish-speaking international locations around the globe, a Misa de Gallo (Rooster’s Mass), is widely known on or round Christmas Eve. The celebrations usually contain a hen dish of some type.
Roosters are male chickens. A home hen is a subspecies of purple junglefowl (Gallus gallus), a species native to tropical Asia.
Christmas Animals: Conclusion
We hope that you have loved discovering out in regards to the animals related to Christmas in numerous elements of the world. What’s your favourite Christmas animal? Are there any animals we’ve neglected? Tell us within the feedback part under!
We want to take this chance to want all of our readers a really joyful Christmas!
