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

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