Overview of Muskox:
The muskox is a large, stocky animal found in the Arctic Circle, northern Canada, Greenland, and parts of Alaska. You may have heard of them by the name Oomingmak, which is the common term among Inupiaq speaking people and means “the animal with skin like a beard.” Mature bulls (males) can weigh 600-800 pounds, while cows (females) are smaller, between 400 and 500 pounds. The fur of the muskox, qiviut, is considered one of the rarest fibers in the world. Qiviut is eight times warmer than wool and softer than cashmere, making it quite the commodity in the textile industry. The global population of muskox is estimated to be between 80,000 and 125,000, with approximately 5,300 found in Alaska.
Between June and September, we had 5 muskox calves born at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Follow the article below to learn about how a muskox calf develops in their first six months!
The Development of a Muskox Calf Over Six Months:
Muskox calves are generally born between April and June, weighing between 20 and 30 pounds. They are born fully furred with a layer of baby qiviut and brown fat; however, they still require warmth and protection from their mother. Within minutes of birth, they are able to nurse.
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- A calf tries to stand for one of the first times after birth.
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- A calf nurses for the first time after birth.
Within hours after birth, the muskox calf is able to walk on its own and explore the new surroundings. Though the mother is recovering after birth, she keeps a close eye on her calf in defense of anything that could cause harm.
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- Walking with mom soon after birth.
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- Walking with mom while she browses.
And soon, once they get their feet under them, calves begin running! (If you have ever seen a dog with the zoomies, you get the gist.)
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- A calf running circles around the mature muskox.
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- A calf demonstrating excellent sprint form.
However, it isn’t always play time (though it seems to be a lot of the time). These calves get their fair share of rest.
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- Hay, haven’t you heard? Hay makes for the best blanket!
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- A calf rests, making sure to stay close to mom.
The calf is able to eat browse and grain within a couple of weeks of being born; however, most still continue to nurse until up to a year, in some cases longer! During their first year, muskox calves are very dependent on their mothers for protection, food, and warmth.
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- Saving a little for later.
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- Calf displays the proper way to eat grain.
Growth then becomes rapid. At six months, a calf can weigh 190 to 250 pounds. Horns are still not present at this stage, and will not be until the next spring or summer (when they are yearlings).
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- Calf shows how rapid growth is within the first year.
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- That’s another big calf!
Follow along with us to see more updates as our calves continue to grow and develop, and check out our social media pages for more pictures and information about our muskox calves!
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