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RANGIFER TARANDUS CARIBOU, (Kerr). 



THE WOODLAND CARIBOU. 



Specific Character. — Muzzle entirely covered with hair'; the tear-bag small 

 covered with a pencil of hairs. The fur is brittle ; in summer short, in winter' 

 longer, whiter ; the hoofs are broad, depressed, and bent in at the tip. The ex- 

 ternal metatarsal gland is above the middle of the leg. Horns in both sexes 

 elongate, subcylindric, with the basal branches and tip dilated and palmated ; in 

 the females smaller. Skull, with rather large nose cavity, about half as long as 

 the distance to the firsL grinder ; the intermaxillary moderate, nearly reaching to 

 the nasal ; a small, very shallow, suborbital pit. 



Habitat. — North Eastern North America. 



Average Size. — Equal to that of a large deer. 



Average Weight. — 200 to 300 pounds. 



Average Height. — At shoulder 4 feet. 



Average Length. — feet. 



Average Value of Skin. — In the raw 2.5c. to 30c. per pound. 



The caribou is a near relative of the reindeer of Northern Europe, and is 

 the most useful, if not the most comely of its race. It lacks the grand propor- 

 tion of the wapiti, nor has it the grace of the Virginia deer. 



The front hoofs are capable of great lateral expansion, whilst the hind ones, 

 slightly developed in other members of the family, are considerably prolonged, a 

 structure which, by giving the animal a broader base to stand upon, prevents it& 

 sinking too deeply into snow or morass. 



The broad feet and short legs enable the caribou to swim at great speed, a 

 matter of no small importance in a country abounding with lakes and rivers. 



The running of the caribou is accompanied by a loud clattering noise, pro- 

 duced by the long hoofs, which separate as they press the ground and click 

 together again as they close when raised. 



From the neck of the caribou hangs a long mane of dirty white. 



In summer the body is brown above and white beneath, and in winter long 

 haired and yellowish white. 



The horns are remarkable on account of their shape and size. The summit 

 are broad and palmated, and branch backv/ard, often as far as four feet. 



The horns are light, averaging in weight from ten to twenty pounds, and it 

 is a remarkable fact that the ornaments are -worn by both sexes, whilst in all the 

 other deer families the males alone are furnished with these weapons. 



The female calves in May or June, and produces as a general rule one calf at 

 a birth. 



The food of the caribou in winter is the Lichen rangifernia, and in the 

 summer young herbs, and the leaves and tender shoots of trees. 



The flesh of the caribou is delicious and it is sought eagerly ; much skill is 

 needed, however, to capture the animal, stalking being about the only means by 

 which it can be taken. 



Unlike the moose, the caribou are not easily tamed, for although carefully 

 handled they become wild and vicious upon attaining maturity. 



The head and horns make magnificent trophies and command a ready sale. 



The skin is of no value in the fur trade, but is used for leather and makes 

 excellent moccasins and thongs. In ether cold countries it is used to jmake 

 dresses of, and in the Polar regions no garment worn can compare with those 

 made of the reindeer skin for warmth and comfort. 



