The muskox is an Arctic mammal of the family Bovidae, noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted during the seasonal rut by males, from which its name derives. This musky odor is used to attract females during mating season. Muskoxen primarily live in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, with small introduced populations in Sweden, Siberia, Norway, and Alaska.
Similar species: Even-toed Ungulates
By Bug Lady
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Uploaded Aug 8, 2019. Captured in 2665 Lesja, Norway.
comments (8)
What a beautiful photograph! Thank you so much for sharing with us, and we look forward to learning more about you. If you need any help, feel free to contact any of the moderators (including me)! Posted 6 years ago
The Inuit name for the muskox (Ovibos moschatus) is umingmak, meaning “the bearded one”, a very appropriate name considering the muskox’s long, shaggy guard hairs can reach 100 cm (over 3 ft) long! This “beard” provides direct protection from the weather and is undoubtedly the envy of many men. The guard hairs cover their undercoat, known as qiviut, which provides additional insulation for winter. Qiviut is one of the warmest materials in the world! Having such a warm coat is one of the reasons these animals have been able to successfully inhabit the frigid Arctic for thousands of years. {Spotted in Norway by JungleDragon user, Bug Lady} #JungleDragon Posted 5 years ago