Found on the tundra of Canada and NE Greenland, the shaggy musk ox stands 5 feet at the shoulder and can weigh up to 700 pounds. Musk ox have no musk glands and are not an ox.Living in herds of 20 to 30 animals, the musk ox form a circle to protect their young when danger is near. This method of defense proved ineffective against the men that hunted this woolly beast. By the early 1900's, they were so rare that orders were issued for their protection. Since then, with hunting regulations, the musk ox has become one of the few "back from the brink" success stories. Animals have been reintroduced to Alaska, Norway and Russia. Although population growth has been slow in some areas, other populations have skyrocketed.
© 1997 E Patrol Foundation