Ovibos

Ovibos is a genus of hoofed mammals in the family Bovidae, comprising the muskox (Ovibos moschatus) as the sole living species. The genus also includes several extinct Pleistocene species described from fossil material, such as Ovibos cavifrons. The muskox is native to Arctic regions of North America and Greenland, with reintroduced populations in parts of Alaska and around the Arctic.

Muskoxen are stocky and well insulated, with a thick, two-layered coat that includes a soft underfur called qiviut. The long guard hairs form a shaggy outer layer that helps shed wind and moisture. Both sexes possess large, curved horns. Adults are roughly the size of a small bison, with males generally larger than females.

They inhabit Arctic tundra and surrounding polar regions, ranging across northern Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. They form large herds in winter and smaller family groups at other times, using social behavior to cope with cold and scarce forage. In winter they may dig through snow to reach vegetation.

Ecology and behavior: Muskoxen are primarily herbivores, feeding on grasses, sedges, willows, and available lichens. They can endure extreme cold and seasonal shortages by utilizing stored fat and efficient digestion. Mating occurs in spring; gestation lasts about eight to nine months, typically giving birth to a single calf. Calves are precocial and can stand soon after birth. Predators include wolves and bears, with calves most at risk.

Conservation: Ovibos moschatus is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting a broad distribution and overall stable populations, though some local groups face pressures from climate change, disease, and hunting.