# Musk Ox (*Ovibos moschatus*) The musk ox is a strong and furry animal that lives in cold places like the Arctic. It has long, curved horns and a thick coat to keep it warm in the snow. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Tundra - **Also known as:** Musk Oxen ![Musk Ox](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424659/objects/6254.jpg) ## Appearance The Musk Ox has a massive, shaggy body covered in a thick, dark brown to black coat that almost reaches the ground. Its short legs and broad hooves support a stocky frame, topped with a distinctive helmet-like set of horns that curve outward and down. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Ovibos ## Interesting facts - Musk oxen are more closely related to goats and sheep than to true oxen! - Musk oxen communicate with deep rumbling sounds that travel far in the cold Arctic air! - Their amazing soft underfur, qiviut, is eight times warmer than sheep's wool! - They can locate buried food under deep snow using their excellent sense of smell! ## Special abilities - **Arctic Armor:** Musk Ox has a thick, shaggy coat and dense underwool called qiviut that helps them survive extreme Arctic temperatures below -40°C. - **Horned Shield:** Musk Ox can use their massive, curved horns and thick skulls to defend against predators, forming a strong, unyielding defense line. - **Defensive Fortress:** Musk Ox can form a protective circle with adults facing outwards, which helps them guard calves and vulnerable members from danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 190-250 cm - **Weight:** 150-400 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-20 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 240-270 days ## Diet & Feeding These herbivores graze on tough Arctic plants, finding food even under deep snow. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, sedges, willows, mosses, lichens, dwarf shrubs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Polar Bear](https://www.snappit.app/explore/polar-bear) (*Ursus maritimus*) — occasionally preys on musk oxen. - **Eats:** Arctic Willow (*Salix arctica*) — browses on leaves and stems. - **Eats:** Water Sedge (*Carex aquatilis*) — grazes on these tough grass-like plants. - **Eats:** [Iceland Moss](https://www.snappit.app/explore/iceland-moss) (*Cetraria islandica*) — a key winter food source. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Tundra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tundra): This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Keep a safe distance from musk oxen in the wild and never approach them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Musk Ox? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Musk Ox? 190-250 cm ### How much does Musk Ox weigh? 150-400 kg ### How long does Musk Ox live? 12-20 years ### How fast can Musk Ox move? 60 km/h ### What does Musk Ox eat? These herbivores graze on tough Arctic plants, finding food even under deep snow. ### Where is Musk Ox usually found? Tundra ### How does Musk Ox hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Alaska Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-zoo) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-wildlife-conservation-center) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [Ranuan Eläinpuisto](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ranuan-el-inpuisto) — Lapland, FI · Zoo - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo [View all places to see Musk Ox](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/musk-ox) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Musk Ox: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/musk-ox)