The capri-cow was a species of genetically engineered farm animal designed to build up a functioning dairy industry on the planet Sphinx in the Manticore System. Their genetic code was largely based on Terran goats, but with alterations that allowed them to give a creamy milk without the overly strong flavor of the planet's native plant life. This was neccessary because, Sphinx being covered with forests, there was not enough open range land for old-style grazing.