Females have hair in between the horns. Musk-oxen primarily live in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, with small introduced populations in Sweden, Siberia, Norway, and Alaska. There is a strict herd hierarchy. The lifespan of musk-ox is from 12 to 20 years in the wild and up to 27 years in the captivity. The small tail measures only 10 cm (3.9 in) long. Males have horns which are joined together to protect them during sparring matches with rival males. It is a member of the Artiodactyl, or even toed ungulates (this group also includes animals such as pigs and hippopotamuses). Herds can be as small as 3 animals or as large as 100 animals. Today I want to write about a really muscular animal, the muskox. In midsummer the thick layer of insulating underwool (kiviat) is shed, giving muskoxen a very shaggy appearance. The Musk Ox’s stocky frame reduces the surface area to volume ratio. The musk ox can live up to 25 years! Thanks For Watching Subscribe to become a part of #TeamHealthApta SUBSCRIBE for awesome videos every day! This page is part of our Arctic Animals series. The current world population of muskoxen is estimated at between 80,000 and 125,000. Musk oxen can weigh up to 400 kilos each. References. The muskox’s coat ranges in color from dark brown to almost black, with the lower legs, faces, and backs light brown to white. The Musk Ox has evolved several adaptations to help them survive the cold. Fun facts about musk ox; suitable for Kindergarten through Grade 6. Males smell bad in the breeding season! Two weight-bearing toes on each foot give the Musk Ox better grip and stability over rough ground. The musk ox are mostly clean animals even in the wild. There is also a dominance hierarchy within the cow herd, and certain females assume the leadership role in cow herds. The global population of Musk Oxen is around 150,000. ERRORS in the site, please contact us. Musk-oxen primarily live in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, with small introduced populations in Sweden, Siberia, Norway, and Alaska. The bull’s horns are much larger than the cow’s and are used during fights over females. 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. (It’s completely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll never share your details.). It has a thick coat, and was common in the northern hemisphere during the Pleistocene ice age.The males give off a strong odour, hence its name.This musky odour is used to attract females during mating season. In the winter when grass quality drops, it lives off its fat reserves while also switching to lichens, mosses and roots. The Musk Ox (Ovibos moschatus) h as a short and sturdy body with a strong shoulder. In the summer, musk oxen often feed near water, eating throughout the daylight hours to store up fat for the winter. As quite a lot of it gets sprayed onto their coat when they urinate, it makes them rather smelly! In this article we’ll be learning about the Musk Ox, a large herbivore with many adaptations for living in the cold Arctic region. All muskoxen have long and curved horns with a small tail covered with fur and measuring 3.9 inches long. As members of the subfamily Caprinae of the family Bovidae, muskoxen are more closely related to sheep and goats than to oxen; however, they are placed in their own genus, Ovibos (means literally “sheep-ox”). Musk oxen live in the frozen Arctic and roam the tundra in search of the roots, mosses, and lichens that sustain them. Introduction - Musk Ox On this page of strongest animal facts you will find interesting information about the Musk Ox (Muskox). The Musk Ox is an arctic mammal from the bovine family and is known for its thick coat. Standing up to 5ft (1.52 meters) at the shoulder they can weigh as much as 800lb (363kg). Females are shorter in length (from 4.4 to 6.6 feet) while bulls are larger (from 6.6 feet to 8.2 feet). The Musk Ox is a Caprine Animal. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Now with a stable worldwide population of around 150,000, the Musk Ox had previously been hunted to extinction in some areas. The musk ox is named after the strong musky smell that comes from males fighting for females. By forming a ring (known as ‘circling the wagon’) they place the vulnerable infants at the centre while facing the threat horns outwards. It is part of the Caprinae subfamily. Musk Oxen have an outer coat made of long, brown hairs and an inner coat called qiviut which consists of wool. Musk oxen trudge through their small grounds of about 0.77 square miles (2 km2) in little herds of 5 to 15 animals. The musk ox male and female both have horns that don't shed but rather grow. This page was last changed on 27 October 2020, at 06:08. 3. The hairs are very long and they almost touch the ground as this animal moves around. Ox-Wool – Having such a thick fur coat can really turn some heads. Within a few hours of birth, calves are able to follow their mothers back to the protection of the herd. Stocky, intimidating, and a force to be reckoned with. This musky odor is used to attract females during mating season. 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. Protection starts with their amazing coat, the outside of which can reach 100cm (40 in.) Weak Musk Ox are more at risk from predation, as are calves. Your email address will not be published. Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! This reduces heat loss as less of the animal is exposed to the cold outside temperatures. Musk ox inhabits cold Arctic tundra. A musk-ox is a large, furry animal with curved horns. This breaks it down even further to help the Musk Ox extract the maximum nutrients. The cow can weigh 200-300 kg, is 2.3 meters tall and about 1.3 meters high. Their name derives from their musky odour and from their superficial resemblance to the ox, though they are not Collective Noun – Drove, herd, yoke. Musk-Ox’s habitat is the Arctic tundra. Musk ox is a type of cloven-hoofed mammal that belongs to the bovid family. The Musk Ox is a formidable beast. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook. Musk Ox Facts: The Musk Ox’s thick coat keeps it warm in the Arctic. Whilst cattle, bison and buffalos are in the subfamily Boninae, musk oxen are in the subfamily … The content in this site was created from the following resources. The gestation period will then last approximately 8 months and the female will give birth to one calf in the spring. The musk ox's body is covered in long fur, except the area between lips and nostrils. High levels of body fat work in much the same way as blubber on marine mammals, providing internal organs with additional insulation against the cold. So what makes these Arctic animals quite so unique? Males will compete for the right to mate with females with ferocious head butting contests, yet are rarely fatally injured during these fights. They are not built for regular running, although they can reach speeds of up to 25mph (40 km/h) if threatened. 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. The Arctic region is full of some amazing animals, and the Musk Ox is no exception. The Musk Ox Farm • Visit: 12850 E. Archie Rd. The Musk Ox is a herbivore, travelling up to 2km a day to feed on a variety of grasses. A muskox can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Phone: (907) 745-4151 Fax: (907) 746-4831 Email: info@muskoxfarm.org The bull weighs 300-400 kg, is 2.5 meters long and about 1.45 meters in height. Imagine a mountain goat with a long, dark wig. Musk Oxen have a stocky build and a pronounced shoulder hump. Triassic Dinosaurs List with Pictures & Facts: Discover the Dinosaurs of the Triassic Period! 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. 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. Underneath the waterproof outer layer is the undercoat, or qiviut, which provides insulation and is much prized by hunters. The Musk Ox is not your average herbivore (plant eater). Musk-oxen are social animals and are usually found in herds. In the Arctic regions that the Musk Ox calls home, the temperature can drop as low as -94°F (-70°C). Smaller populations also exist in Norway, Siberia, Sweden and Greenland. Musk Ox are herd animals. What makes them so unique is their long, brown, shaggy coats. Musk ox, (Ovibos moschatus), shaggy-haired Arctic ruminant of the family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla). Muskoxen are occasionally domesticated for wool, meat, and milk. They got their name due to their physical resemblance to oxen but the musk ox is actually related to sheep and goats. Length/Size – 1.1 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 ft). Click the picture above for more details & to view free sample pages! Musk Oxen demonstrate a unique defence mechanism when attacked. Best North American Wildlife Field Guides: Recommended Books On The Wildlife Of North America, North American Animals List. This allows them to find grazing. Nearly 75% of Musk ox are found in Canada. Musk oxen are part of the Bovidae family, a taxonomic group of over 140 extant (living) species including domestic cattle, sheep, goats, bison, antelopes, and wildebeest. They live in groups that number as few as 5 in the summer to as many as 60 in the winter when conditions get tough. The young nurse for approximately 1 year but during that time they also graze on grasses. Competitors will challenge one another with intimidating posturing, head swinging and mock charges. A cornered musk-ox can be a fearsome enemy, charging with its massive bulk and attempting to use its horns to deadly effect. Both males and females use their horns to dominate other muskoxen and to fight off predators. Interesting facts about oceanic whitetip sharks, Interesting facts about Yorkshire Terriers. Male Musk Oxen release a strong odour in their urine during the breeding season, which is how they get their name. 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