Musk Ox

scientific name

Ovibos moschatus wardi

size/weight/height

Weight: adult bull ~900 lbs. • female 25-33% smaller
Shoulder Height: 4.5'

adaptations/coloration

Color: hair long, shaggy & brown
Legs: short • sturdy • broad hooves
Skull: hollow horns • 6" bony plate from outer horn through skull
Summer Coat: prevents penetration by flies & insects
Winter Undercoat: "qiviut" • texture of cashmere • excellent insulator • shed late May

behavior

Defense: form tight circle • adults face outward • calves in center • effective against wolves • ineffective against guns (herd makes no attempt to escape)
Herd: few - 50 members (larger in winter) • lead bull • females • calves • bulls occasionally band together or roam singly
Scent Glands: produce strong odor (mainly due to urine smell) during rutting

reproduction/lifespan

Mature: 3 yrs
Rut: late summer/early fall • fight for cows
Gestation: 8 - 8.5 mos.
Calf: 1 • 20 lbs. • late April - May (late as August in warmer climate)
Newborn: mother licks dry • immediately joins herd • nibbles grass 1st week • weaned 9 mos.

diet

herbivore
Wild: bushes, grass, willow branches (favorite) • need 1/6 of fodder that cattle require
Zoo: oats, timothy hay, alfalfa hay, zoo pellets (compressed vegetables • made locally)

habitat/range

prefer areas of low snowfall • Alaska Tundra, Canada & Greenland

status

not listed • remaining population estimated 10,000 • protected • breeding farms in Alaska & Norway produce yarn for woolen goods

oregon zoo exhibit

Alaska Tundra