26 



MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



The Alaska Moose differs from the better 

 known form by being larger and darker in color. 

 This animal reaches proportions almost gigantic, 

 and when at bay in the woods is a foe to be 

 dreaded. Its home is the Kenai Peninsula of 

 Alaska. 



" The broad valley and mountain banks of the 

 Klondike," writes Tappan Adney, " are an ad- 

 mirable feeding ground for this Moose. The 

 temperature in winter is exceedingly cold and 

 crisp, but the snowfall is light, and by reason 

 of the intense cold the snow does not settle or 

 pack. There is so little wind, especially through 

 the early part of the winter, that the snow accu- 

 mulates on the trees in strange and often fantas- 

 tic masses, giving the landscape, especially on the 

 mountain tops, the appearance of having been 

 chiseled out of pure white marble. On account 

 of its lightness, the snow is no impediment to 

 the long-legged gaunt Moose, which is not 

 obliged to ' yard ' as in more southern deep- 

 snow regions, but wanders at will from valley to 

 mountain top in search of the tender twigs of 

 willow, white birch or cottonwood. The Indians 

 surround the Moose in its feeding groimds and 

 as it runs, one or more of them is tolerably sure 



of a quick shot." The Moose in this section have 

 long been the main support of the Indians, and 

 in their household economy no part of the beast 

 is wasted. To quote further : " The hides were 

 brought indoors, the hair was shaved oft", and all 

 the sinew and meat adhering was removed by 

 means of a sort of chisel made of Moose's shin 

 bone. . . . The skin was now washed in 

 a pan of hot water. The various portions of the 

 Moose were divided among the village. One 

 family got the head, another a slab of ribs, an- 

 other the shoulders. The shin bones were roasted 

 and cracked for their marrow ; the ears, although 

 nothing but cartilage, were roasted and chewed 

 U]i ; the rubber-like ' rnufifle ' or nose, and every 

 particle of flesh, fat or gristle that could be 

 scraped from head or hoofs were disposed of. 

 Even the stomach was emptied of its contents, 

 boiled, and eaten." 



A near relative of the Alaska Moose is found 

 in the forests of the Scandinavian Peninsula, as 

 well as parts of Russia and Prussia. The animal 

 is known to the English by the name of Elk, 

 which term has unfortunately been applied in 

 this country to the Wapiti, an animal presenting 

 nianv points of difference. 



WOODLAND CARIBOU 



Other Name. — American Reindeer. 



General Description. — A large Deer, the male 



weighing about 300 to 400 pounds. Antlers palmate, 

 found on both sexes, those of male wide and branching, 

 of female much smaller, occasionally lacking entirely. 

 Brow tine present, compressed laterally. Muzzle 

 haired, wide and heavily built. Ears and tail short. 

 Mane on neck. Tarsal but no metatarsal gland. Hoofs 

 broad and long, deeply cleft, with accessory hoofs 

 reaching nearly to ground. 



Dental Formula.- 



molar 



-Incisors, 



-o t^ . I — 1 



— ; Canines. 

 4 — 4 o — o 



,^-^\ Molars, ^1^=34. 

 3—3 3—3 



Pelage. — Adults: Sexes similar. Summer. Greater 

 part of animal dark brown, with grayish-white to pure 

 white on neck from ears to shoulders. Area about 

 under side of tail, behy and extremities of limbs 

 whitish, the white about hoofs arranged as a band. 

 Black patch on cheek and about eye. W'micr. Head 

 and neck whitish, rest of body grayish-ash to dull 

 grayish-brown. Long hairs very coarse everywhere. 

 Inner coat of fine hair present. Young: General body 



Rangifer caribou iGinelin) 



color about as in adults, but with faint traces of white 

 spotting. 



Measurements. — Length, male, 6 to 6J4 feet ; height 

 at shoulder, 42 to 48 inches: length of tail. 4 inches; 

 antlers. 32 to 42 inches. Female, slightly smaller. 



Range. — Labrador, region between Great Lakes and 

 Hudson Bay extending from Maine to Montana and 

 British Columbia, in forest lands. 



Food. — Practically any green vegetation to be found 

 in its range. 



Remarks. — This animal is well marked off from 

 other Caribou to the north by its greater size and larger 

 horns, and from the Caribou to the west by its color 

 and smaller size. There are many species of the Wood- 

 land group, but some are only slightly differentiated. 



Pre- 



Rfxated Forms 



Woodland Caribou. — Rangifer caribou caribou 

 (Gnielin). Typical form. Canada from Maine to 

 Rocky Mountains. 



Richardson Caribou. — Rangifer caribou sylfcslris 

 (Richardson). Differing little from typical Woodland 

 Caribou. Southern shores of Hudson Bay. 



