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