Musk-Ox’s habitat is the Arctic tundra. Within the herd, the dominant bull provides leadership, taking the lead in repelling predators, fording rivers and leading the group. This page is part of our Arctic Animals series. ActiveWild.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon stores. They are well adapted to survival in the frigid Arctic, and have quite a few interesting characteristics and adaptations to help them survive. Musk Oxen have a stocky build and a pronounced shoulder hump. Although the Musk Ox is part of the Bovidae family, it is surprisingly it is more closely related to sheep and goats than to cattle. Two weight-bearing toes on each foot give the Musk Ox better grip and stability over rough ground. Adults, on average, weigh 285 kg (630 lb) and range from 180 to 410 kg (400 to 900 lb). Adults weigh between 400 to 900 pounds and an average of 630 pounds. This is a special adaptation that helps the musk ox survive the freezing temperatures of the tundra. Male Musk Oxen release a strong odour in their urine during the breeding season, which is how they get their name. Although the musk ox was wiped out of Europe and Alaska due to over-hunting, they have … Its Woods Creenames "mâthi-m… Now with a stable worldwide population of around 150,000, the Musk Ox had previously been hunted to extinction in some areas. Read on for incredible Musk Ox facts …, (Be sure to watch the incredible video of Musk Oxen fighting!). Musk ox Facts. Interesting Facts About the Musk Ox Musk oxen are odd-looking, but incredibly hardy, creatures. Muskoxen have sharp horns with rounded bases on the forehead which curve down and outward, and then upward like large hooks. Musk Oxen have 2 layers of fur – the outer layer (called “guard hairs”) and the inner layer of shorter hairs called “qiviut” that fall out for the summer season. Weak Musk Ox are more at risk from predation, as are calves. This involves the males charging and head butting each other, although this rarely ends in a fatality. Musk Ox Facts: The Musk Ox’s thick coat keeps it warm in the Arctic. Contributing to the bulk, their fur is actually double-layered for insulation against the cold. This breaks it down even further to help the Musk Ox extract the maximum nutrients. The musk ox's body is covered in long fur, except the area between lips and nostrils. The musk ox undertakes what is known as reverse migration, heading not to more sheltered lowland areas at the approach of the bitter Arctic winter, but out to the bleak, exposed uplands, where winds blow snow away. However, it is large like them and has some similar physical characteristics. Musk-oxen primarily live in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, with small introduced populations in Sweden, Siberia, Norway, and Alaska. Nearly 75% of Musk ox are found in Canada. in length. When threatened, however, musk oxen herds band together. Oct 8, 2020 - Located The Musk Ox can be found in various locations throughout northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Russia. You can find out about more Arctic animals here: … or you can find out about the Arctic region itself here. The musk ox are mostly clean animals even in the wild. This is helped by their short legs and small ears. It is a member of the Artiodactyl, or even toed ungulates (this group also includes animals such as pigs and hippopotamuses). The current world population of muskoxen is estimated at between 80,000 and 125,000. The Musk Ox has the scientific name Ovibos moschatus. 7 Magnificent Musk Oxen Facts Musk Oxen get their name from their strong smell given off by males during the mating season. They offer shades of gray, black, and brown in their coat. Musk-oxen primarily live in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, with small introduced populations in Sweden, Siberia, Norway, and Alaska. They have humped shoulders and short legs, stand about 130 cm high, and weigh 180-270 kg. In the winter when grass quality drops, it lives off its fat reserves while also switching to lichens, mosses and roots. Females are shorter in length (from 4.4 to 6.6 feet) while bulls are larger (from 6.6 feet to 8.2 feet). In the summer, musk oxen often feed near water, eating throughout the daylight hours to store up fat for the winter. During the Ice Age, muskoxen were found as far south as Kansas, but as the ice and tundra receded northward, so did the muskox. Musk oxen can weigh up to 400 kilos each. The small tail measures only 10 cm (3.9 in) long. This reduces heat loss as less of the animal is exposed to the cold outside temperatures. Musk ox facts Basics Arctic willows, grasses, woody plants, lichens, and mosses comprise the musk ox’s diet. The mating season for Musk Oxen begins in late summer and early fall. The primary predators of muskoxen are Arctic wolves, which may account for up to half of all mortality for the species. The Musk Ox is a formidable beast. Currently the Musk Ox is listed as ‘Least Concern’ with the IUCN, although it has been quite a different story in the past. Prices for yarn range between $40 and $80 per ounce (28 grams). weight-500-900 pounds. Your contribution will be appreciated to improve our site. The muskox’s coat ranges in color from dark brown to almost black, with the lower legs, faces, and backs light brown to white. Click on the photo below to discover this week’s animal! They charge at and crash into each other to fight for the right to breed with a female musk ox. The Musk Ox is a herbivore, travelling up to 2km a day to feed on a variety of grasses. They work together using cooperative behaviour to protect the young. This page was last changed on 27 October 2020, at 06:08. Females are pregnant for around 8 months before giving birth to a fully-formed calf. Fun facts about musk ox; suitable for Kindergarten through Grade 6. In the Arctic regions that the Musk Ox calls home, the temperature can drop as low as -94°F (-70°C). The musk ox are placed in the subfamily Caprinae of the Bovids and are closely related to chamois and mountain goats. The Musk Ox is a herbivore. You will get a real sense of why this animal is considered to be so strong along with other facts about this amazing species. Musk Ox facts number 1: not an ox at all, but related to goats! The global population of Musk Oxen is around 150,000. As quite a lot of it gets sprayed onto their coat when they urinate, it makes them rather smelly! Photographed by Neil McIntosh; used with permission under CC BY 2.0. This helps them avoid deep snow. Its Inuktitut name "umingmak" translates to "the bearded one". (It’s completely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll never share your details.). The musk ox male and female both have horns that don't shed but rather grow. They became extinct across much of their range in Europe and Alaska, largely as a result of over-hunting, but have been successfully reintroduced. The Musk Ox is a conservation success story, overcoming persecution to be successfully reintroduced in many areas. Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! Few predators – with the exception of grey wolves – will take on an adult musk ox, and even then it’s with care. It takes a daring predator to try and get through this barrier. A muskox can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Protection starts with their amazing coat, the outside of which can reach 100cm (40 in.) Whilst cattle, bison and buffalos are in the subfamily Boninae, musk oxen are in the subfamily … Facts About Musk Oxen Native to the Arctic areas of Canada, Greenland and Alaska, musk oxen represent an animal belonging to the 'Bovidae' family, which also includes cattle, bison, water buffalo, antelopes, gazelles, sheep and goats. The musk ox (Ovibos moschatus, muskox) is a large Arctic mammal of the Bovidae family.. If an animal of prey approaches the group, the adult oxen form a circle and thus protect the babies within. Males and females have horns that meet near the center of the skull. Musk Oxen calves drink their mother’s milk for 2 months. Herds can be as small as 3 animals or as large as 100 animals. Here are five interesting facts about them: These huge animals can grow up to 2.3 metres long and weigh up to 650 kg. The young nurse for approximately 1 year but during that time they also graze on grasses. Interesting facts about oceanic whitetip sharks, Interesting facts about Yorkshire Terriers. Musk-oxen are well-adapted to their extreme environment with a superbly insulated, long, thick coat of dark brown hair and woolly undercoat called qiviut. Their name derives from their musky odour and from their superficial resemblance to the ox, though they are not Content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Here are some more cool facts about the amazing mammals, the musk ox! Stocky, intimidating, and a force to be reckoned with. Being a ruminant, the Musk Ox has a four-chambered stomach to help break down the tough fibrous content of its plant-based diet. A cornered musk-ox can be a fearsome enemy, charging with its massive bulk and attempting to use its horns to deadly effect. Smaller populations also exist in Norway, Siberia, Sweden and Greenland. Lone musk-ox seen during late summer are either old and senile bulls or young bulls that have been driven away from the herd by a dominant bull. The bull’s horns are much larger than the cow’s and are used during fights over females. Musk oxen eat grass, sedges, flowers, roots, moss and lichen during the summer when plants are easily available. So what makes these Arctic animals quite so unique? Musk ox is a type of cloven-hoofed mammal that belongs to the bovid family. Their current status is a result of extensive re-introduction programmes. You can see the incredible power of these animals in the film below. Your email address will not be published. Within the herd, a dominant female takes the lead and asserts her authority over younger females by pushing and shoving against them. With its long, shaggy outer coat, the Musk Ox is well protected from the bitterly cold winds of the Arctic Tundra. They get their name from the musky, stinky … Ironically the Musk Ox isnt very closely related to Ox at all. A massive, stocky bovid, superficially resembling the American bison in appearance, the muskox (Ovibos moschatus) has a large body, short, stout legs, a short tail, and a short neck, with a slight hump at the shoulders. Males are larger than females. If neither animal backs down, a fight will occur. At … They are mostly found to inhabit wet areas, such as river valleys. The musk ox can live up to 25 years! When threatened, they “circle the wagons” and array themselves with their young in the middle and their sharp horns facing outward toward their foes. The hairs are very long and they almost touch the ground as this animal moves around. This undercoat falls out when temperatures climb at winter’s end. The more dominant animals have better feeding opportunities. Imagine a mountain goat with a long, dark wig. Both males and females have broad horns, which nearly meet at the middle of … Males will compete for dominance over a harem of females, and a single male will mate with several females. The Musk Ox’s name comes from the rather smelly urine it produces. The Musk Ox has evolved several adaptations to help them survive the cold. Musk oxen trudge through their small grounds of about 0.77 square miles (2 km2) in little herds of 5 to 15 animals. A musk-ox is a large, furry animal with curved horns. Musk-oxen have a short migration range, moving from lowland areas in the summer to more elevated regions in the winter. The muskox’s short, stocky legs and large, rounded hooves enable the animal to move through shallow snow and to be an agile climber on snow and rock. Muskoxen travel in herds of females and their young led by one or two strong males. Thanks For Watching Subscribe to become a part of #TeamHealthApta SUBSCRIBE for awesome videos every day! Distribution/Location: The musk ox lives in the arctic tundra regions of North America and Greenland. Forming a protective circle with their horns directed outward, bulls make up the first line of defense. Musk Ox stand around 1.2 metres (3 feet 11.2 inches) high at the shoulder. 3. The Musk Ox is a Caprine Animal. All muskoxen have long and curved horns with a small tail covered with fur and measuring 3.9 inches long. Competition between males for the dominant position is tough. Their Greenlandic name, Umimmak, means long-bearded ox. This allows them to find grazing. Musk oxen live in the frozen Arctic and roam the tundra in search of the roots, mosses, and lichens that sustain them. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook. Usually there are about 15 animals in a herd. Underneath the waterproof outer layer is the undercoat, or qiviut, which provides insulation and is much prized by hunters. This animal is actually related to sheep and goats. The Musk Ox is found in the Arctic tundra, with 75% of the population found in Canada. This lesson will teach you about musk-oxen, what they look like, where they live, what they eat and some other cool facts about them. Ox-Wool – Having such a thick fur coat can really turn some heads. Musk Oxen live in a harem system, with a dominant male mating with the females in his herd. Musk oxen are part of the Bovidae family (all of the species of this family have two-toed hooves, four-chambered stomachs, and are herbivores). Your email address will not be published. Muskoxen are occasionally domesticated for wool, meat, and milk. Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Recommended Books On The Wildlife Of North America, North American Animals List. Competitors will challenge one another with intimidating posturing, head swinging and mock charges. The musk ox is named after the strong musky smell that comes from males fighting for females. The musk ox has 135 KG of meat on its body. Weight – 180 to 410 kg (400 to 900 lb) It is part of the Caprinae subfamily. News and facts about animals, natural history and science. Both males and females have a shoulder height of between four to five feet. The Musk Ox’s stocky frame reduces the surface area to volume ratio. Musk Ox are herd animals. In the Arctic regions that the Musk Ox calls home, the temperature can drop as low as -94°F (-70°C). The muskox (Ovibos moschatus, in Latin "musky sheep-ox"), also spelled musk ox and musk-ox (in Inuktitut: ᐅᒥᖕᒪᒃ, umingmak; in Woods Cree: ᒫᖨᒨᐢ, mâthi-môs, ᒫᖨᒧᐢᑐᐢ, mâthi-mostos), is an Arctic hoofed mammal of the family Bovidae, noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted by males during the seasonal rut, from which its name derives. Brown in colour, the Musk Ox’s coat can reach nearly to the ground but is shorter around the face and legs. Palmer, Alaska 99645 • Mail: PO Box 587, Palmer, Alaska 99645 . There is a strict herd hierarchy. Other occasional predators, likely mainly predators of calves or infirm adults, can include grizzly bears and polar bears. The coat is very soft and the quality is e… The wool, qiviut, is highly prized for its softness, length, and insulation value. Males secrete musky substance (hence the name musk-ox) from the glands located underneath their eyes to to mark their territory and attract the females. Its Inuktitut name “umingmak” translates to “the bearded one.”. References. This is essential if they are to have any chance against predators and to be able to keep up with the herd. Scientific Name – Ovibos moschatus Classification – Ovibos. While males are larger than females, both sexes have distinctive curled horns on their foreheads. Pictures & Facts On The Iconic Animals Of North America, With FREE Printable Worksheet, Christmas Animals: Animals Associated With Christmas From All Around The World, What Is Biology About & Why Biology Is Important, American Crocodile Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information, Despite its similarities to cattle, the Musk Ox is more closely related to sheep and goats, Both sexes have horns, but the male’s are larger and more formidable than the female’s, Musk Oxen keep warm with their thick coat, which can reach 100cm in length, Although not being built for running, the Musk Ox can reach an impressive 25mph (40 km/h) when threatened, Musk Oxen are one of the few prey animals to form a cooperative defence, creating an near impenetrable circle to protect young. In winter, they use their hooves to dig through snow to graze on more easily obtainable shrubs, woody plants, crowberry, bearberry and willows. 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