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- Common Name: Muskox
- Scientific Name: Ovibos moschatus
- Date Taken: July 2nd, 1997
- Location: Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary
- Northwest Territories, Canada
- Photographer: Kathy Richardson
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Muskox are native to Greenland, the Arctic
Islands, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
There are several introduced populations in
other Arctic locations. There are approximately
85,000 residing in Canada. In Canada they have
been protected since 1917. Their only predator
(other than the Inuit) is the Arctic Wolf.
Muskox survive the Arctic winter due to their
thick wooly coat, which has two layers: an
inner wooly layer and an outer hairy layer.
In midsummer they lose their wooly layer, and
can assume a shaggy appearance. Both males
and females have large horns. Their front feet
are larger than the back, and are used for
breaking through the crust of snow in the
winter to forage for willows, grasses and
sedges. Calves are born from April to June.
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