… sniff, listen, stare, urinate, “wheeze-snort,” rear back and jump in the air like a stallion, then run away. Often in that order.
Scientists call the jumping an “excitation leap.” It’s a visual warning to other reindeer. It could mean there’s a predator coming, like a wolf, a bear or a fearsome, toothy, bounceable biped you could even describe as abominable.