# Muskox (*Ovibos moschatus*)

> Muskoxen are shaggy Arctic bovids that form defensive circles when threatened, presenting horns outward to protect calves. They weigh up to 400 kg (880 lb), produce fine qiviut underwool, and live in Canada, Greenland, and reintroduced populations in Alaska and Scandinavia.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Arctic tundra of Canada and Greenland, with reintroduced populations in Alaska and Scandinavia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/musk-ox/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Bovidae
- **Genus:** Ovibos

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Ovibos moschatus |
| Diet | Grasses, sedges, willows, and mosses |
| Habitat | Arctic tundra and taiga of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska |
| Lifespan | 12–20 years in the wild |
| Weight | 180–400 kg (400–880 lb); bulls heavier |
| Top speed | Up to 60 km/h (37 mph) in short charges |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Circle defence

When wolves approach, adults form a ring horns-outward with calves hidden inside — one of the most effective group defences in the Arctic. Bulls clash during rut, reaching speeds that belie their bulk.

## Qiviut and insulation

Muskoxen shed a soft underwool called qiviut in spring — finer than cashmere and exceptionally warm. Outer guard hairs shed snow and wind, allowing survival at −40 °C.

## Reintroduction success

Hunted to extinction in Alaska and Scandinavia by the 1920s, muskoxen were reintroduced successfully from Greenland stock. Populations now support limited sustainable harvest and tourism.

## Climate and range

Warming Arctic may expand shrub habitat in some areas but increase parasite pressure and rain-on-snow events that lock food under ice. Most muskoxen remain Least Concern with stable northern populations.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is muskox wool soft?

Yes — qiviut shed naturally in spring is among the finest and warmest natural fibres, softer than sheep wool.

### Are muskoxen aggressive?

Generally calm but bulls charge during rut and groups will defend calves from wolves or dogs.

### Where do muskoxen live?

Arctic Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, with reintroduced herds in Norway and Sweden.

### What do muskoxen eat?

Arctic plants — sedges, grasses, willow leaves, and mosses — digging through snow in winter.

### How do muskoxen survive wolves?

They form defensive circles with horns facing outward, protecting calves in the centre.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/musk-ox/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.