Family: Bovidae, Cattle, Goats, and Sheep view all from this family
Description A large hoofed mammal. Dark brown shaggy hair hangs nearly to feet; lighter "saddle" on back; whitish lower legs. Broad head; slightly humped shoulders. Male and female have massive light or dark brown horns that curve down close to sides of head, then out and up near pointed tips; spread to 30" (75 cm). Female's horns shorter, more slender, and more curved than male's. Ht 3-5' (91-152 cm); L 6'4"-8'1" (1.94-2.46 m); T 2 1/2-7" (6-17 cm); Wt male 579-900 lb (263-408 kg), female 370-670 lb (168-304 kg).
Breeding Breeds every other year in late summer; season peaks in September. 1 calf born late April-May after gestation of 8-9 months.
Habitat Arctic tundra; in summer, grassy river valleys, lakeshores, and meadows with willows and heath plants; in winter, windswept hilltops and slopes where vegetation is exposed.
Range Northern part of Northwest Territories and islands to, but not including, Greenland. Small, introduced semi-domesticated herds in Unalakleet, Alaska, southeast of Nome.
Discussion The genus name combines the Latin terms for sheep (ovis) and oxen (bos). The Muskox is more or less intermediate between the two groups: It is ox-like in size, but its profile, hairy muzzle, thin lips, and relatively small, pointed ears might belong to a giant, long-haired ram. Muskoxen give off a stronger odor than American Bison or domestic cattle; during breeding season, the bull exudes an especially strong scent. The animal's common and scientific names both refer to this musky odor, which, however, is from urine, not musk, as this animal has no musk glands. Muskoxen have good sight and hearing, and can run rapidly when necessary. They usually travel in a closely packed herd of 15 to 20 individuals in the winter and 10 in the summer, though occasionally a herd may contain up to 100 individuals. Herds include males and females; during the rutting season, the dominant male attempts to take control, driving the other males away by charging and clashing heads with them. The outcast males become solitary or form small groups of their own. The dominant bull continually tests and tends the females, and probably mates with most or all as they come into estrus. The newborn is able to stand shortly after birth, and its horns begin to appear at six months.
Undertaking no major migrations, Muskoxen travel only about 50 miles (80 km) between summer and winter ranges. In summer, they feed on green vegetation such as sedges, grasses, and willows; in winter, the diet is primarily woody plants. Both sexes snort and stamp their feet, and excited males give a deep, throaty bellow. When threatened, adults form a fortress-like ring or line with the young inside. If a wolf, the Muskox's chief predator, comes too close, it may be thrown into the air on a bull's horns, then crushed with the hooves; occasionally a bull will leave the ring to attack. Life span is about 20 years. In the 19th century, the Muskox was hunted for meat and hide, and for a time herds were drastically reduced on the mainland. Recently the population was estimated at about 40,000. A herd of about 170 has been maintained at Unalakleet, Alaska, for their valuable underwool, called quiviut, which is used by Native American village weavers to fashion luxurious garments.
