Rudolph would have a red nose if he was real, says study (Picture: Carlton TV)

Santa Claus’s mythical animal could have had the bright coloured nose if it was real, according to Swedish researchers that determined reindeer hooters looked redder in freezing temperatures.

The experts from Lund University said the reason reindeers’ noses were this colour when viewed with infrared light was because they were not covered by fur like the rest of their body.

They added the reddening was a sign blood was being transferred from the rest of the body in order to keep them warm.

Thermal imaging pictures of the reindeer were taken (Picture: Alamy)

‘When reindeer are feeding, their mules are exposed to very low temperatures as they look for food under the snow,’ said professor Ronald Kröger.




‘They pump warm blood into the mule which means it can be a bit reddish because of this strong blood ﬂow.’

The study took place at Sweden’s Zoo of Nordic Animals.