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Range and Habitat: Found in northern Canada, Alaska and
Greenland. In the Pleistocene Age they've, by fossil record, shown
to have been in Siberia and Europe. Musk oxen inhabit the Arctic
tundra in areas of scant snowfall.
Habits and Adaptations: Gregarious, with herds up to 100.
A defensive circle is formed by the herd with calves inside as
protection against wolves. The herd does not run, a poor defense
against gunfire.
Diet: In the wild they eat grasses, lichens, mosses and
also willow and pine shoots.
Breeding and Maturation: Breeding is in August with a
single calf born the following May. Gestation is 8 months. At
birth, calf weighs 11.3-13.6 kg (25-30 lbs) and is 46 cm (18")
high. Female produces a calf every other year. Sexual maturation
is at 3-4 years. Young bulls are driven out by herd-masters when
approaching maturity and often unite until older and strong enough
to overpower a leader. Bulls give off a strong scent during rutting
season and are so possessive they will even chase off birds lighting
too near cows. Lifespan is about 20 years.
Miscellaneous: Eskimo name is "oomingmak" -
bearded one. Qiviut, the underwool, may become an important commercial
item for the Eskimo. One of the world's best natural fibers, it
is light, strong and warm. An adult musk ox sheds 1.8-2.7 kg (4
to 6 lbs) a year. The musk ox roams under protection of the Canadian
government; there is a small protected herd in Alaska as well
(Nunivak Island). Domestication experiments are ongoing to obtain
qiviut for human clothing.
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