Range

North America is the native home of the musk ox. Here they can be found in the north of Canada and the US state of Alaska. A population can also be found in Greenland.

A population has also been reintroduced to Russia where they could be found naturally until 2,000 years ago. Another population was introduced to Norway and the island of Svlabard. On Svalbard they have since gone extinct.

Habitat

These animals are one of the few large mammals which can be found in the cold environment of the Arctic year round.

They make their home on tundra grasslands.

Reproduction

Males undertake their rutting season when they will battle over females during the last two months of summer. The successful male will command a herd of females with which he mates.

The females give birth to their single calf after a 244-252 day gestation period. Twins are possible but it is rare for both to survive. This birth typically occurs prior to the snow melting and the female will use her fat reserve to provide milk for the calf.

Calves are standing soon after their birth and can follow the herd. They are reliant on the mother for food and warmth.

A calf will follow its mother and will keep warm by hiding among her guard hairs.

Males do not provide direct care to the calf but will help protect them as part of the herd.

Females are able to mature anytime between 1 and 4 years old with males maturing between 3 and 4 years old.

Calving may occur every year if food is plentiful.

Behavior

Musk ox will live in small herds. These include a number of females led by a dominant male while spare males will form a bachelor herd. Each herd may include between 20 and 30 members.

Males participate in fights using the horns to provide defense. The collisions may generate a noise which can be heard up to 1.6km (1 mile) away.

They produce a range of vocalizations. Calves will bleat to communicate with their mother. Adults produce a range of roars and rumbles which can carry across long distances. As they mature their voice deepens.

Non-verbal communication they will use include stomping, snorting and head turns or swinging.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the musk ox include wolves, grizzly and polar bears.

When threatened by one of these predators a herd of musk ox will form a circle and face outwards. The calves are placed in the middle of the circle where they are protected by the adults.

Previously the population of musk ox declined due to over-hunting. Since the introduction of restrictions on hunting in the 1900s their numbers have recovered.

It is thought that the climate change will lead to a further decrease in their population.

Quick facts

The name musk ox is derived from their musky odor and their resemblance to the ox.

Musk ox have been roaming the Earth for over 600,000 years.

These animals are placed in the caprine subfamily of bovids along with the true goats and sheep.

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