Musk Oxen (Ovibos
moschatus)
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The MuskOxen
The muskox is called omingmak meaning “the animal with skin like a beard” by Inupiaq-speaking Eskimos. © Patrick J. Endres Taxonomists now classify muskoxen with the sheep and
goats. The closest living relative of the muskox is the takin,
a large goat-like animal which is found in the Himalayas. Muskoxen
as a species have changed little since the ice age and are perfectly
adapted to live in their harsh arctic environment.
General description
Muskoxen have cloven hooves, all four of which are the same size. © Patrick J. Endres 
Both sexes have horns, but the horns of bulls are larger and heavier than those of cows. The horns of bulls develop large bases which nearly span the entire forehead.. © Patrick J. Endres Mature bulls are about 5 feet high (1.5 m) at the shoulder
and weigh 600 to 800 pounds (273-364 kg). Cows are smaller,
averaging approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) in height and weighing
400 to 500 pounds (182-227 kg). The name “muskox”
is misleading because the animals have no musky odor.
Life history
The breeding season begins during late summer; mating takes place during the time from August to October. Single calves, weighing 22-31 pounds (10-14 kg), are born in the spring (April to June) to cows older than two years. © Patrick J. Endres Growth of young Muskoxen is rapid and the animals weigh 150-235 pounds (68-107
kg) as yearlings. Muskoxen are gregarious animals. Winter herds
may include up to 75 animals. Smaller harem groups which form
during the mating season contain from 5 to 15 females and subadults,
with one dominant bull who prevents other adult bulls from entering
the group. Bulls excluded from these breeding herds wander widely
in search of a harem but generally rejoin mixed sex herds in
winter. However, some non-breeding bulls may segregate into
bull-only herds during spring.
Analysis of motion-picture footage has determined that the force generated in a clash between muskox bulls is equivalent to that of an automobile ramming a concrete wall at 17 mph (27 km/h). © Patrick J. Endres 
The group defense formation adopted by muskoxen in response to predators is well known. © Patrick J. Endres When danger approaches, muskoxen
run together. Every animal tries to face the source of the threat.
If only one predator is nearby, the defense formation takes
the form of a line. If several predators surround the group,
as with a wolf pack, the formation becomes a compact circle
with all muskoxen facing outward. Occasionally, one or more
animals will charge the predator. The muskox’s defense
strategy is extremely effective against its principal enemy,
the wolf. Unless the herd stampedes, it is nearly invulnerable
to wolf attack. Early human hunters soon learned to exploit
this defensive behavior and with the aid of dogs were easily
able to wipe out whole herds of muskoxen. Whalers and arctic
exploring parties, using the same techniques, took a heavy toll
of muskoxen in some regions.
Food habits
Muskoxen eat a wide variety of plants, including grasses, sedges, forbs, and woody plants © Patrick J. Endres Muskoxen eat a wide variety of plants, including grasses, sedges,
forbs, and woody plants. Muskoxen are poorly adapted for digging
through heavy snow for food, so winter habitat is generally
restricted to areas with shallow snow accumulations or areas
blown free of snow.
History in Alaska
The return of muskoxen to Alaska is an important success story in wildlife conservation. © Patrick J. Endres 
The muskoxen population on the Seward Peninsula is thriving. © Patrick J. Endres Most of the transplanted animals quickly adapted to their new
surroundings and increased. Further transplants may be considered
in the future. However, dispersal from previously translocated
herds will be the primary method by which future range expansion
occurs.
Population
Muskoxen herd in Alaska's arctic north slope. © Patrick J. Endres The soft brownish wool-like underhair, or “qiviut,”
has been called the rarest fiber in the world. A domestic muskox
herd at Palmer is farmed exclusively for the production of qiviut,
but Eskimos on Nunivak Island collect the naturally shed wool
clinging to bushes and tundra plants, and spin it by hand.
Text taken from the State of Alaska Fish and Game Wildlife Notebook Series.
Text: Tim Smith
Revised by John Coady and Randy Kacyon
Reprinted 1994
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Muskoxen as a species have changed little since the ice age and are perfectly adapted to live in their harsh arctic environment.
The large, thick horns of bull muskox are called a boss.
The qiviut has an insulation value much greater than wool, and keeps the Musk oxen protected from cold temperatures.
Single calves are born in spring.
Muskoxen are being studied in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the Large Animal Research Station. Tours are provided to the public.
Muskoxen have short, stubby legs with cloven hoofs.
Muskoxen are easily viewed from the road in many locations on the Seward Peninsula.
Muskoxen eat a wide variety of plants, including grasses, sedges, forbs, and woody plants. |
| (907) 479-9196
| Patrick J. Endres | P.O. Box 81312 | Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
| Unauthorized reproduction prohibited by copyright law.