Taken from Scientific American Aug. 2011 edition.
Haveyou ever wondered why Santa had chosen reindeer as the animal to pull his sleigh? It actually turns out that reindeer can see better than other animals against that harsh winter landscape. A study from the university of Norway found that the reindeer is "not only resistant to eye damage from the intense UV rays but is also able to perceive UV light." This means that the reindeer has a distinct advantage over many other mammals, like humans, which cannot see UV light. They can use this adaptation to forage for food and watch for predators.
So, when Santa takes his team out on this Christmas eve you'll know that his team pulling the sleigh has a great skill. They can see in the dark!
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