Christmas Animals Around The World Quiz

Answer: Reindeer

Of course, this adaption allows reindeer to live in extremely cold climates. Not only that, but the nose helps with both inhaling and exhaling. You may have noticed that when a reindeer exhales, there is no steam that is released from its nose. The cold air first goes through the nose, which allows it to warm and for the animal to retain its warmth before it is released. And here's another cool reindeer fact. There are even some subspecies whose knees click when they walk. Why? It helps the herd stay together in blizzard conditions. Neat!

Many believe that reindeer were not associated with Christmas until a poem was published in either 1821 by William Gilley that told about reindeer driving Santa's sleigh, or the famous poem by Clement Moore, which was published in 1823. You may have noticed that Rudolph did not make Moore's list. That is because Rudolph did not come into existence until 1939 when Robert L. May created him for a holiday book that was to be given out at Montgomery Ward where he worked. Actually, many of the Santa Claus figures in different cultures rode a magical horse from home to home.

Answer: Camel

Camels, of course! It is just one of the many physical traits that helps to protect them from all of the sand they walk through. In addition to the extra eye lids and eye lashes they have furry ears which help to keep away dust and sand. Their nostrils are specially made to keep the sand and dust out too, and their feet have two toes each to keep them from sinking in the sand.

The truth of the matter is that there is nowhere in the Bible (check out Matthew 2 as it is the narrative about the wise men) that tells about the three wise men riding camels to Bethlehem in order to visit Christ. While camels were certainly domesticated by the time of Christ's birth, and already vital to the caravan trade as pack animals, realistically speaking, the magi would have been wealthy men who were more likely to have ridden Arabian horses. Who doesn't have at least one camel in their Christmas nativity? I need to find a figure of a horse!

Answer: Kangaroo

Even though it might appear to take a lot of effort, hopping is considered to be a very quick and easy way for a kangaroo to travel from one place to the other. A kangaroo has large, strong tendons in its back legs that are similar to giant springs. It has a nice tail to help with balance, and the act of hopping helps fill up and deflate their lungs without even making an effort! Typically they can hop at about 15 miles per hour, but they can reach speeds of 43 miles per hour for short periods of time.

In Australia there is a song called "The Six White Boomers". A boomer is a male kangaroo. In the song, Santa uses the kangaroos to push his sled when he comes to Australia for Christmas. Of course, Santa also has to change into some cooler clothes when he is in Australia at Christmas time.

Answer: Donkey

Many people have decided this is because donkeys are stubborn, but the correct word to use in this case is cautious. It is said that they will never become involved in a situation that they feel it is dangerous. They are herd animals, and the leader of the herd, usually the strongest, will face a threat alone in order to give the other members of the herd time for a safe getaway.

Donkeys are especially important symbols in Christianity, even though the Bible does not specifically say that Mary rode on a donkey. For such a long trip - around ninety miles, it is likely that she did ride a donkey to Bethlehem when she was expecting Christ, and these animals are depicted as being present at the manger when Christ was born. In addition Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Answer: Goat

Many ruminants, which are animals that chew cuds, have a bottom row of teeth, but in the top of their mouth they have what is called a dental pad, which is a thick hard gum that allows them to be able to pinch off grass. They do have top molars in the back of their mouth so that they can chew their food.

In Scandinavia the Yule goat was made of the last piece of grain harvested, which was believed to possess magical powers. Did Thor ride through the sky with flying goats? In some countries, it is believed that the Yule goat visits households to make sure that holiday plans are underway.

Answer: Robin

Unlike other species of birds, the male and female robin are similar in appearance with the bright reddish-orange breast and brown legs. The male, however, is the one who does most of the singing. Did you know there is such a thing as an American robin and a European robin? In 2015 voters in England choose the robin as the national bird; some thought the reason was because it is so recognizable, but it has been featured at Christmas time for a long time in the UK. Americans also cited the familiarity of the bird as the reason why it was chosen to be a state bird in some locations.

The robin's red breast has traditionally been a symbol of the blood and sacrifice of Christ. They were also associated with mailmen who wore bright red coats during Victorian times and brought seasonal greetings cards.

Answer: Wren

Wrens are little, mostly brown, birds that are found all over the world. The ancient Greeks believed that the wren became king of the birds after he perched on the eagle's back for a ride; that made him the highest flying bird. It is considered to be bad luck in England to kill a wren or upset its nest.

The wren traditionally was honored on St. Stephen's Day, December 26, which was also called Wren Day in Ireland. While it was inside a holly bush (sometimes they used a fake wren) that was placed at the end of a pole, the Wren Boys would sing a song about the bird. It was believed that the tradition began with the Celts to honor the "winter king", the wren, who even sang in winter.

Answer: Comb

Rooster combs vary in appearance depending on the breed, but they are typically red. They help the rooster regulate its body temperature. Did you know that combs actually help roosters attract hens during the mating process? Scientists believe that a nice-looking comb indicates not only the testosterone level of the bird, but also its overall health! Huh!

According to tradition, the rooster became associated with Christmas because one crowed at midnight the day when Christ was born. This is something really special because roosters do not typically crow that time of day.

Answer: Turtle Doves

Fides is typically pictured as a young woman who wears a laurel wreath crown and holds a turtle dove in her hand. Turtle doves are mainly found today in southern and eastern England. Britain's only migratory dove, the turtle dove typically spends the winter season in West Africa. Turtle doves make a purring sound. They are mentioned in the "Bible"; the Song of Solomon states: "the voice of the turtle is heard in our land". This is a reference to their purring.

Turtle doves are mentioned in the Bible because they were often used as sacrifices. For example, Genesis 15:9 says that God directed Abraham to "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon". Some believe that the two turtle doves mentioned in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" represent the Old and New Testaments.

Answer: Sheep

This is an amazing characteristic that you may never have noticed. Sheep have awesome peripheral vision - between 270-320 degrees. This certainly comes in handy when predators are nearby and also, as sheep communicate with easy other, using the wide range of vision to keep track of where the others are while grazing. It is important, however, to keep the wool out of their eyes for optimum vision! By the way, goats and toads also have rectangular pupils.

The sheep in the nativity set represent the shepherds who were told about Christ's birth by the multitude of angels (Luke 2). Of course, the shepherds hurried to visit the manager, and took their flock along with them. Throughout the New Testament, Christ is referenced as the "Good Shepherd" and Christians are his flock (John 10:11).