FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



Caribou. — Rangifer caribou 



and related forms 



Names. — Caribou; Reindeer. Plate XLVI. 



General Description. — A large Deer with slightly palmated 

 antlers on both sexes; muzzle hairy; anteorbital facial gland 

 fairly prominent; neck maned on underside; ears short; tail 

 short; tarsal glands but no metatarsal glands; hoofs broad, 



^owxrv 



Fig. 114. Caribou 



flat, deeply cleft; accessory hoofs long; upper canines some- 

 times absent; pelage full, hairs of pith-like structure; young 

 not spotted with white; habitat northern. 



Color. — Sexes colored very much alike, marked seasonal 

 variation may or may not occur. 



General color warm brown, with yellowish white on neck, 

 belly, small patch including tail and buttocks, and band 

 about each foot; face and legs rather darker brown (autumn 

 pelage). 



In winter the general tone is somewhat lighter, grayish 



528 



