Caninus Nunatak () is a

nunatak A nunatak (from Inuit ''nunataq'') is the summit or ridge of a mountain that protrudes from an ice field or glacier that otherwise covers most of the mountain or ridge. They are also called glacial islands. Examples are natural pyramidal peaks. ...

, about high, located east of Palindrome Buttress and the northern part of the

Walton Mountains Walton Mountains is an isolated chain of three predominantly snow-covered mountain masses, rising to about 1,450 m at Mount McArthur, extending south from Schubert Inlet for 25 miles (40 km) in central Alexander Island, Antarctica. The mou ...

Alexander Island Alexander Island, which is also known as Alexander I Island, Alexander I Land, Alexander Land, Alexander I Archipelago, and Zemlja Alexandra I, is the largest island of Antarctica. It lies in the Bellingshausen Sea west of Palmer Land, Antarc ...

. In the 1974–75 field season, the

British Antarctic Survey The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the United Kingdom's national polar research institute. It has a dual purpose, to conduct polar science, enabling better understanding of global issues, and to provide an active presence in the Antarctic on ...

reduced its number of dog teams. The name derives from the burial of nine dogs near the nunatak, "caninus" being a Latin word (from "

canis ''Canis'' is a genus of the Caninae which includes multiple extant species, such as wolves, dogs, coyotes, and golden jackals. Species of this genus are distinguished by their moderate to large size, their massive, well-developed skulls and den ...

") meaning relating to dogs. Caninus Nunatak seems to have some relation with nearby nunataks named after certain sled dog teams, some of these include Admirals Nunatak and Huns Nunatak.

References

* Nunataks of Alexander Island {{AlexanderIsland-geo-stub