Forget the Nose, 'Rudolph' Has Keen Eyes

"The reindeer of Christmas myth must meet high expectations this time of year -- not just hauling heavy loads of gifts over long distances -- but also helping navigate from the tundra to the rest of the world.

And even though most real reindeer never pull sleighs through snowy nights, new research suggests that their eyes would be far better suited to the task than Santa's are. Unlike people, the study found, reindeer can see ultraviolet light -- which probably allows them to detect food and predators in a mostly white environment.

The study makes reindeer the first large mammal known to have UV vision. And it raises questions about how animals that are highly specialized to their environments will adapt as their environments change."
via Discovery News / more