Animals associated with Christmas.

There are a variety of wild animals which are associated with this magical time of year. These animals can be seen on television, films, on Christmas cards and wrapping paper and even as Christmas tree decorations. Here are the ones Percy Pine Marten can think of. Perhaps you can think of more?.

Robin

 It has been estimated that there are about 6,700,000 robins in the UK. They are so easy to identify with their olive brown upperparts and that distinctive red orangey breast. They live in gardens, hedgerows, parks and woodlands and eat insects, berries, seeds and worms. The stories of why the robin is associated with Christmas revolves around its red breast. One version is that the robin’s redbreast provides a link to Christianity. The robin it is said pulled a thorn from Christ’s crown whilst he was on the cross and then sang to relieve his suffering. Another similar legend also connected with Christianity says that some of Christ’s blood fell upon the bird’s breast when Christ was on the crucifix. Folk stories also explains the robin’s redbreast. An Irish folk tale tells the story of a father and son who were out in very cold weather at Christmas. They couldn’t find any shelter except for a bush. The father lit a fire and told his son to watch the fire and not to let it go out. However, the son eventually falls asleep, the fire gets lower, and a starving wolf comes closer. Luckily there is a little bird who on seeing what is happening begins fanning the fire to keep it a light thus scaring the bad wolf away. Even when his breast got scorched the bird continued and from then on, the robin has got a red breast. Another tale altogether different relates to Victorian postmen who wore red uniforms and were called Robins. So the robin on the Christmas card came to represent the postmen who delivered the card.

Doves

The dove is a traditional Christmas bird being a symbol of peace and deliverance and of god’s forgiveness. There are many references to doves in the Bible. Noah when he was in the ark reputedly sent a dove out to determine if it was safe to return to earth. When the dove returned with a sprig of olive Noah knew that peace had been restored. Another reference is when Jesus was born the three wise men carried gold, myrrh and frankincense as gifts and the shepherds followed carrying fruits, honey and doves. In the famous Christmas carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, turtle doves are mentioned. These are not the same as the white  doves which are traditionally a sign of peace and are thought of at Christmas.

Penguins

Penguins are associated with Christmas because they live in cold climates This is despite, the fact they live in the South pole and not in the North Pole where Santa lives. Penguins are flightless; their wings are their flippers which allow them to move expertly through the water. Some penguins are large and can hunt and dive up to 500 metres. They have no natural land predators, but they do have sea predators like leopard seals and killer whales Another reason why they are a favourite Christmas animal is that they are very cute looking!

Partridges

It would be unlikely to find partridges in a pear tree as the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ Carol says. This is because they are ground dwelling birds. There are two species in the UK, the grey partridge which is rare and the red legged partridge. This is the one depicted on many Christmas cards. One reason why partridges are synonymous with Christmas may be that the partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. He is symbolically presented as a mother partridge, a bird who will die to defend her young. This reminds us that Jesus is our protector.

Turkey

 The turkey is a large ground feeding bird native to north America. This bird first arrived from north America in the 16th century and is the ancestor of our domestic turkey which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies. Henry 8^th was apparently the first British monarch to enjoy turkey on Christmas day . However, it was in the Victorian era when turkey finally began to become popularly eaten at Christmas. In wealthy households a  Christmas pie would be made consisting of stuffing a pigeon inside a chicken which was then stuffed in a turkey which was stuffed in a goose! I think Percy Pine Marten would have enjoyed that!

Camels

Camels are desert animals so why are they linked them with Christmas?  One explanation comes from the Bible. It is the three kings or Magi who predicted the birth of Jesus, and they go to Bethlehem to welcome him and although it does not say in the Bible how they travelled it is likely that they travelled on camels. These creatures are tough with two rows of eyelashes and three sets of eyelids which prevents sand from getting in their eyes. Their leathery lips mean they can eat tough plants and their thick pads of skin on their feet allow them to walk on hot sand. They also can consume 40 gallons of water at one go which is an advantage in hot arid conditions. Not so cute as the penguins as they have been known to spit at people when angry.

Donkeys

 A donkey carried Mary into Bethlehem and waited while Joseph tried to find an inn. Upset that there were no rooms, the donkey brayed so loudly that the innkeeper sent them to a stable where Mary gave birth to Jesus whom the donkey kept warm with his soft breath. This is why in nativity plays a donkey is always to be shown.

Polar Bears

The Polar bear is the largest land carnivore and can be known as the white bear, ice bear or even sea bear. Like penguins they have become symbols of Christmas only because of snow and cold. They are not found in the North pole as they live in the Arctic and Canada. Their white coat allows them to hide in their environment They have two layers of fur an outer thicker layer which protects the softer denser inner layer. Their teeth are very sharp and adapted to cutting and eating meat. They eat mainly seals, walruses and some terrestrial animals Their paws are large with their front paws been broader than the back. They can walk on ice but in summer will live on land. Although solitary they can now be found in groups on land due to climate changes and other threats. This is neither safe for the bear or for the inhabitants of any small communities they may come across. The polar bear is now considered to be a vulnerable species.

 Reindeer

 One couldn’t forget reindeer or caribou as they are also called and for centuries they have been associated with Christmas. The reindeers which pull Santas sleigh on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to children are called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. Reindeers are unusual deer. Unlike most deer, the antlers are on both male and female. They have a very good sense of smell although their hearing and sight are not so good. When they walk, they make a clicking noise which is caused by a tendon in their foot passing over a bone. They have been known to cover up to 3000 miles in a year. They have a double layered coat to keep them cosy and they live in large herds where they eat mainly lichen, fungi and leaves. For years they have been used for transport, for meat and clothing and in many cultures’ reindeer antlers are considered a very important medicine. During the 2^nd world war reindeers were used by Soviet forces to transport injured soldiers from war zones and into safety. In 1939 Robert L May wrote a book about a reindeer called Rudolph. He is the nineth and youngest of Santa Claus’s reindeer and because he was born with a very red nose, so bright that it lights up the sky, he is the lead and most important reindeer. Rudolph becomes a hero when he guides Santas sleigh through heavy fog and ever since Santa has insisted Ruldolph must be the main reindeer. Without reindeer with their ability to travel long distances without getting tired, their nice thick coat to keep them warm and of course Rudolph’s shiny red nose to light up the sky, dear old Santa would find it very difficult to visit all the children with presents. However once Santa reaches Australia it is not reindeer which pulls the sleigh but kangaroos. The reindeers are given a rest and six white kangaroos called Jackaroo, Curly, Bluey, Two-Up, Desert-Head and Snow are harnessed to the sleigh. I think Percy Pine Marten would prefer reindeers A less bumpy ride  for Santa he thinks!

Animal of the month

Percy pine Marten has picked   a rather unusual animal this time. It is called a Christmas tree siphonophore. Siphonophores are a colony of organisms and are ocean drifter’s incapable of moving through the water on their own. This marine invertebrate resembles a Christmas tree, but its branching tentacles are loaded with stinging cells that stun prey.  Rarely fatal to humans they can nevertheless inflict painful stings They live in deep sea in the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and can reach 3m in length. They eat small fish, shrimps and bristle worms. Interestingly they are a relative of the highly venomous Portuguese Man of War which may resemble a jellyfish but is actually a siphonophore.

                      To make Penguin Bananas

You will need.

Bananas, cooking chocolate, smarties, edible eyes.

For 2 people

1.             Peel the two bananas.

2.          Ask an adult to melt dark chocolate or milk chocolate if preferred and with their help spoon              some of the chocolate over the top of the banana and round its sides. This will represent the            dark feathers of the penguin.

3.              Stick 2 orange smarties into the bottom of the banana to represent feet.

4.              Add an orange smartie sideways as a nose.

     Place the eyes above the smartie nose 

     Leave until the chocolate is hard

     ENJOY and have a very Happy Christmas

    Children's Page written by Maureen Graham