Musk ox: lifestyle features.

The musk ox (Ovibos moschatus), also known as the musk ox, is the only representative of the Polaroid family today. The distant ancestors of this animal lived in the highlands of Central Asia more than 10 million years ago. Then gradually settled in Eurasia and North America. Due to climate change, their population has greatly decreased. At the beginning of the last century, they were brought to Russia, Wrangel Island and Taimyr, where they successfully took root.

Musk ox: description

It is a large ungulate animal with a massive head and a short neck. Rounded antlers serve as a reliable protection against predators. The body is almost entirely covered with a dense, dark-brown and black hair that hangs almost to the ground, with a thick undercoat. It is several times warmer than sheep's wool and is able to save the animal from any frosts. With the help of wide hooves the musk ox can rake out the snow, gaining food for himself in the winter. Find it under the snow helps a very well developed sense of smell, through which the musk ox detects also the approach of enemies. Large eyes allow you to recognize objects even in total darkness. The height of the animal varies from 130 to 150 cm at the withers, and the weight is 260-650 kg. Males are much larger than females. Despite such considerable size, the closer relationship is not with cows, but with goats and sheep has a musk ox. The name of this animal to musk has nothing to do with. It is associated with the Indian word "musked", denoting a marshy terrain. Like goats, musk oxs can easily jump over rocks, steep slopes. Bulky and awkward forms do not stop them from running fast, they are not inferior in speed even to horses.

What does the musk ox eat

These animals are completely unpretentious in food. Despite the large body weight, it is enough for them that vegetation, which appears in a short polar summer among permafrost. In winter, they extract lichens, sedge, dwarf birch and willow from under the snow. The musk ox consumes 5 times less food than the reindeer, and so much food is enough to sustain life.

Herd instinct

Between the musk oxen are very developed social ties, especially among females and calves. These are herd animals, which live in groups of 15-20 individuals. Such a herd is maintained, as a rule, by one dominant male. Between the calf and his mother there is a very close relationship, they are in constant contact with each other. From the moment of birth, the calf interacts with all the members of the group, participating in games that are an important part of the herd's life.

Enemies

The main enemies in nature for a musky bull are wolves, bears, wolverines and, of course, hunters. To protect against predators at the time of danger, these strong animals stand ring close to each other, covering themselves with small calves, and in turn throw themselves at the enemy. One of the males attacks, then returns back to the circle. So they fight off and attack several predators. Strong and sharp horns are what the musky bull is famous for.

This method of protection does not work only in relation to a person, more precisely, the weapon that he uses. Hunters often enjoy the immobility of musk oxen rallied in a ring, and they are shot from a rifle. These animals amaze with their sense of camaraderie. They surround the dead musk ox and stand to the death, defending it and forcing the hunters to kill the whole herd. Therefore, the number of musk oxen with the appearance in the Arctic of people with firearms has dramatically decreased.

Musk ox and man

The indigenous population of the Far North has long used musk oxen as commercial animals. Their wool and warm undercoat, which is called "giviot", is especially valued. More than 2 kg of valuable down can give a musky bull. Pictures, such as the one above, show the whole variety of products that can be made using yarn obtained from the musk ox hair. Animals kept in captivity, carefully combed, collecting giviot, and those that are in the wild, leave a lot of hair during the moult on the plants. You just need to collect it.

The meat of musky bulls is also prized. The only exception is meat of males, which are killed in the mating season, because it has a rather strong musk smell.

Marriage period

The time for weddings among musk oxen comes at the height of the summer season. The task of the male is to become the owner of the harem, to attract as many females as possible, having established his right in the battle with rivals. During this period, there are fights between the bulls, which until recently together grazed and defended themselves from predators. After exchanging menacing glances, they backfire, and then rush to meet each other, colliding with their foreheads. The losing male leaves the battlefield.

When the passions subside and the marriage period ends, everyone again stumbles into the herd and continues to peacefully graze alongside. In May, calves appear in the world. The female, as a rule, gives birth to a single calf weighing approximately 7 kg, which is covered with thick wool. Almost a year the calves are fed milk of the mother, characterized by high fat content. In the first days, feeding occurs up to 20 times a day. Already in the first hours after the birth of the calf can follow the mother, 2-3 days later becomes more active, and a few days later has already met other calves and fun playing with them. The musk ox slowly grows up. Only in the third year of life does he become sexually mature and capable of reproduction.

Today in the list of creatures in need of resettlement there is also a musk ox. His photo can now be seen among pictures of animals subject to protection. Scientists believe that it is necessary to restore the population of musk ox in the Arctic. This will help increase hunting and fishing resources.