Musk Ox
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| Ovibos moschatus (Zimmermann, 1780) |
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 Range map. Blue indicates areas where the muskox has been successfully introduced in the 20th century. Red indicates established range.
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Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) are big, shaggy, long-haired, horned mammals that are live in the Arctic. They are also found in the far north of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, Siberia, and some Arctic islands. They travel in herds of females and their young led by one or two strong males.
[change] Diet
Musk oxen are herbivores (plant-eaters) that graze on grasses, willow leaves, and some Arctic flowers. They are ruminants; they swallow their food without chewing it. Later, they regurgitate the food (called a cud) and chew it. Musk Oxen, like other ruminants, have a four-part stomach.
[change] Behavior
Male musk oxen fight over who will be leader by butting their thick heads and horns against each other. The musk oxen's long, curved horns keep away enemies. When a herd smells nearby wolves, all the musk oxen form a circle and face out. They lower their heads to show off their horns.[1]
[change] References
- ↑ Cole, Joanna (2000). The Magic School Bus, Polar Bear Patrol. U.S.A.. ISBN 0-439-31433-X.
