Muskox

Ovibos moschatus

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Artiodactyla · Bovidae

About

The muskox is a hoofed mammal of the family Bovidae. Native to the Arctic, it is noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted by males during the seasonal rut, from which its name derives. This musky odor has the effect of attracting females during mating season. Its Inuktitut name "umingmak" translates to "the bearded one".

Fun Fact

Muskoxen survived the last Ice Age alongside woolly mammoths and have barely changed since — their underwool (qiviut) is eight times warmer than sheep's wool by weight and finer than cashmere.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Arctic tundra

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

12-20 years

Threats

Shipping Routes
Oil and Gas Exploration

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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