Species MammalsMusk Ox

Musk Ox

Ovibos moschatus

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Musk Ox (Ovibos moschatus)
Safety note: Dangerous — observe from a safe distance.

The Musk Ox is an Ice Age relic with an undercoat of qiviut—one of the finest and warmest natural fibers in the world—that insulates it against temperatures below -40°F. When threatened by wolves, musk oxen form a defensive circle or wall with adults facing outward and calves protected in the center, a formation that is highly effective against predators. Despite the name, musk oxen are more closely related to goats and sheep than to true cattle.

Habitat
Arctic tundra, rocky valleys, and windswept ridges
Diet
Sedges, grasses, willows, and dwarf birch
How common
Uncommon

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