Support the park

Loading
Loading

Musk Ox

( Ovibos moschatus )

The musk ox is not a cow. In fact, it’s more closely related to sheep and goats. It lives in the Arctic and is perfectly adapted to the cold with its long fur and incredibly warm wool. Musk oxen live in large herds, either consisting of a dominant bull, females, and calves, or a group of surplus males. If musk oxen are attacked by wolves, they form a circle with their fronts facing the predators and the calves safely protected in the center.

1

Hear the Musk Ox

2

Weight

200-400 kg

3

Habitat

Mountains, hills & grasslands

4

Diet

Herbivore

5

Offspring

1-2 calves

Get to know Musk Ox

Classification: Mammals

Order: Even-toed ungulates

Family: Bovids (Bovidae)

Distribution: Arctic region (Canada, Greenland and Alaska), as well as small populations in Norway, Sweden and Russia

Habitat: High-altitude areas on mountains and in mountains and grasslands

Lifespan: 15-25 years

Body length: Male (Bull): 200-250 cm; Female (Cow): 135-200 cm

Shoulder height: 135 cm

Weight: Male (Bull): 300-400 kg; Female (Cow): 200-300 kg

Mating season: August and September

Gestation: 250 days

Number of offspring: 1-2 calves, usually 1 each year

Diet: Herbivorous; grass, herbs, twigs and leaves

Habitat

The musk ox lives in Arctic tundra regions, where the climate is extreme, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. It prefers open landscapes such as mountain tundra and low-lying plains with sparse vegetation. These areas provide access to food like grasses, sedges and dwarf shrubs, which the musk ox grazes on throughout the year.

The musk ox is especially well adapted to the harsh climate. Its dense coat consists of a warm underlayer called qiviut and long outer hairs that protect it from wind and cold. In winter, it often moves to higher ground where the wind has swept away the snow, making it easier to find food. In summer, it moves to lower areas with more vegetation and access to water.

Climate change poses a growing threat to the musk ox. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can lead to the formation of ice layers over vegetation, making it difficult for musk oxen to access food during winter. Additionally, warmer summers may increase the spread of diseases and parasites that were previously limited by the cold climate.

Distribution

The muskox lives in Arctic regions and is native to northern Canada and Greenland. In addition to these natural populations, muskoxen have also been reintroduced or introduced to areas such as Alaska, Siberia, Norway, and eastern Greenland, where they had previously become extinct.

In Norway, muskoxen were reintroduced to the Dovrefjell region in the mid-20th century, where a small but stable population now lives freely in the mountains. It is the only wild-living muskox population in Europe. In other regions, such as Russia, reintroduction efforts have had varying levels of success depending on climate, food availability, and human impact.

Although the species is not globally threatened, some of the introduced populations are considered vulnerable and are closely monitored by biologists and wildlife managers.

Distribution

The muskox lives in Arctic regions and is native to northern Canada and Greenland. In addition to these natural populations, muskoxen have also been reintroduced or introduced to areas such as Alaska, Siberia, Norway, and eastern Greenland, where they had previously become extinct.

In Norway, muskoxen were reintroduced to the Dovrefjell region in the mid-20th century, where a small but stable population now lives freely in the mountains. It is the only wild-living muskox population in Europe. In other regions, such as Russia, reintroduction efforts have had varying levels of success depending on climate, food availability, and human impact.

Although the species is not globally threatened, some of the introduced populations are considered vulnerable and are closely monitored by biologists and wildlife managers.

The residents

Information will soon be available.

Verdenskort