Muskox

Ovibos moschatus

The muskox, Ovibos moschatus, is an Arctic hoofed mammal with a massive coat, curved horns, and a social defense behavior in which adults face threats together around calves. Despite the name, it is closer to goats and sheep than to domestic cattle. Muskoxen live in tundra and polar desert landscapes of Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and parts of northern Eurasia through reintroduction. Their long guard hairs and soft underwool, called qiviut, are among the most recognizable traits of the species.

Human involvement with muskoxen includes wildlife conservation, Indigenous and northern community harvest management, zoo herds, research programs, and limited qiviut-focused husbandry. Captive or semi-managed herds need cold-climate planning, strong fencing, low-stress handling systems, mineral balance, and careful breeding-group management because mature bulls are powerful and seasonal. Field managers watch calf survival, disease exposure, forage access, winter severity, and population movements. Qiviut collection, when used, is typically based on combing shed fiber or gathering naturally shed wool, with animal welfare and local stewardship guiding the work.