REINDEEK IN ALASKA. 7 
mals will invariably give way on the approach of a man. When 
disturbed or frightened they run together and then face the common 
danger. Thus it is possible to round up a herd in the open and with 
the lasso catch any desired animal. Reindeer are very active for 
short distances and display as much action and speed as an ordinary 
driving horse. 
Reindeer may become quite friendly and trustful, and remember 
their master for a long time. As they are seldom used for work 
except when snow is on the ground, they are handled directly only 
for a short period each year, but once broken they do not seem to 
forget. When they are being handled it is wise to watch out for their 
horns and to avoid being struck by their fore feet, but even when 
being roped by men on foot, as they always are, injuries to the ropers 
from the animals are uncommon and are usually due to carelessness. 
Finally, it can be said that reindeer are more easily handled by men 
on foot than are cattle. 
TEETH. 
At birth the reindeer fawns have 8 temporary incisor teeth and 12 
molars fully up with 4 more molars just appearing through the 
gums. At 10 to 12 months the temporary incisor teeth are shed and 
replaced by permanent incisors. The temporary incisors are smaller 
and somewhat smoother and narrower than the permanent ones. 
At the end of the first year 4 more molars appear, making a total of 
20. During the second year 4 additional molars appear, and toward 
the close of the season the two anterior molars are shed and replaced. 
The total dentition of a three-year-old animal consists of 8 incisors 
and 24 molars, a total of 32 teeth. 
Wearing down of incisors. — At 2 years of age the two central in- 
cisors show signs of wear. At 3 years all the incisors are worn. At 
4 years the teeth begin to separate a little, and year by year the sep- 
aration and wear goes on until at 14 to 15 years it will be found that 
the incisor teeth are completely worn down to the gums and show 
only as little round stumps set far apart. When the mouth reaches 
this condition it plainly indicates that the usefulness of the animal is 
past, 
SHEDDING HORNS. 
Fawns. — The fawns shed their horns about April 15, one year after 
birth. The new growth starts almost at once and 10 days later there 
may be a quarter of an inch of velvet. The growth of horn is almost 
complete by July 1, or when the animal is about 15 months old. This 
applies to both male and female fawns. 
Adult does. — The shedding of the horns of the adult does (2 years 
of age or over) occurs a few days after dropping the fawn. The 
