Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus)

Muskoxen are truly arctic animals, well-adapted to their extreme environment with a superbly insulated, long, thick coat of dark brown hair and woolly undercoat. They became extinct across much of their range in Europe and Alaska, largely as a result of overhunting, but have been successfully reintroduced.

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About the Musk ox

The muskox (Ovibos moschatus) is an Arctic mammal of the Bovidae family, noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted by males, from which its name derives. This musky odor is used to attract females during mating season.

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Scientific Classification

Class: Mammal (Mammalia)

Order: Even-toed ungulate (Artiodactyla)

Family: Bovid (Bovidae)

Genus: Ovibos

Species: Muskox (moschatus)

Where can I see them?

Map showing the distribution of the Musk ox species

This region contains the following habitats:

Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder

Conservation Status

The Musk ox is Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Population trend: Stable

Year assessed: 2008

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