Musk Ox | The Arctic’s Ice Age Survivor

Musk oxen are Ice Age survivors, still roaming the Arctic wilderness as they did thousands of years ago. Wrapped in long, shaggy coats that shield them from blizzards, they endure some of the coldest, harshest landscapes on Earth. 

Life for the musk ox is lived in the herd. Shoulder to shoulder, they stand together against predators and the unforgiving climate, a living symbol of resilience. Today, Canada and Greenland host the largest populations, with Greenland offering a rare chance to encounter them in some of the most pristine environments on the planet.

What is a musk ox? Origins of an Ice Age survivor

The Greenlanders call them ‘Umimmak’, which means ‘the long-bearded’. First appearing during the Pleistocene, musk oxen once lived across Europe, Asia and North America alongside mammoths and sabre-toothed cats. While many of their Ice Age neighbours vanished, musk oxen endured. Despite their heavy build and ox-like appearance, they are most closely related to goats and sheep.

Musk oxen are instantly recognisable by their curved horns and long coat, which can reach almost 100 cm in length. Beneath this shaggy layer is the qiviut, a soft underwool warmer than sheep’s wool and lighter than cashmere. This coat allows them to thrive even when Arctic temperatures plunge far below zero.

Musk ox behaviour, herd life, and social structure

Musk oxen live in herds that shift in size with the seasons. In summer, groups usually consist of about eight to 20 animals, primarily cows, calves and a few bulls. Young males without breeding rights often form separate bachelor groups on the tundra.

During the rut in late summer, dominant bulls engage in spectacular dominance battles. The clashes begin with aggressive displays, then bulls charge from distances of about 46 metres or more, before colliding horn to horn at speeds up to 27 km/h. The force is so powerful it can sound like a car hitting a concrete wall. Their skulls are reinforced with thick bone and horn to withstand repeated clashes.

Females also follow a clear hierarchy of their own, with older cows taking the lead over younger ones, and deciding access to food and shelter. Calves are born between April and June, and within hours they can keep pace with the herd, sticking close to their mothers and gradually learning their place. This strict order helps keep the herd organised and reduce conflict when resources are scarce.

In winter, herds often expand into much larger groups of up to 75 musk oxen. Larger numbers improve protection and make moving through deep snow easier, as the herd breaks trails together.

What do musk oxen eat? Diet and feeding behaviour

Musk oxen are strict herbivores that survive on the sparse vegetation of the Arctic tundra. Their summer diet includes willow leaves, tussocks, grass shoots and flowers in valleys. In winter, they rely on dried grasses, sedges, lichens and shrubs such as willow. Calves depend on milk for up to one year, but they begin incorporating adult foods into their diet within weeks of birth.

While food is scarce for much of the year, musk oxen continue to graze and browse throughout all seasons. When snow covers the ground, they use their hooves and muzzles to dig down to hidden plants. They also move to windswept areas with thinner snow, which makes it easier to uncover forage.

During the summer months, when the vegetation is plentiful, musk oxen eat large quantities of food and absorb only the easily available nutrients. In winter, when forage is limited, their digestion slows down to draw more value from the scarce and fibrous food available, helping them survive the long Arctic winter.

Predators and threats in the wild

In the Arctic, musk oxen face few natural predators. Their main threat comes from Arctic wolves, which hunt in packs and can wear down a herd through persistence. Polar bears and grizzly bears have also been known to take musk oxen, though such encounters are much rarer, and usually involve calves or isolated musk oxen.

Calves are a primary target for wolves, especially when deep snow slows their movements. Wolves try to scatter the adults and separate the young, to increase their chances of success, but musk oxen defend the herd with determination, and with a well-known defensive strategy: when danger approaches, the herd closes ranks and forms a circle or semicircle, with the calves in the centre. Adults stand shoulder to shoulder, horns facing outward. If predators press in, they charge forward, creating a living fortress.

Where and when to see musk ox in the wild

East Greenland offers some of the best opportunities to see musk oxen. Around Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord system, herds graze against a backdrop of cliffs and drifting ice. Further north, Northeast Greenland National Park holds one of the largest continuous populations in a wilderness almost untouched by people.

Musk oxen are also found on Greenland’s west coast near Kangerlussuaq, where reintroductions in the 1960s created a strong population. Beyond Greenland, wild herds live in Arctic Canada, Alaska, Siberia, and Norway, each with its own history of survival.

Late summer and early autumn are the best times to see them. Calves are strong enough to keep up with the herd, and bulls are active during the rut. This is also when Secret Atlas voyages explore Scoresbysund and the Northeast Greenland National Park, giving visitors a rare chance to see musk oxen in one of the most remote regions on Earth.

Musk ox in Inuit culture and Arctic history

For centuries, musk oxen have shaped life and culture across the Arctic. Inuit communities relied on their meat as a nutrient-rich food source. Their hides kept homes warm and dry, used for bedding, tents, and even sled runners when wood was scarce. Every part of the animal served a purpose, from bones turned into harpoon handles to horns carved into tools and utensils.

Qiviut, the soft inner wool of the musk ox, holds an important place in Arctic heritage, and Inuit have long used it in mittens, socks, and fine weaving. Hunters traditionally tucked small pieces into mittens or bedding for extra warmth. Today, qiviut remains a cultural treasure and financial lifeline for many communities.

Conclusion

Musk oxen are among the Arctic’s great survivors, and one of Greenland’s wildlife highlights. Watching them roam the tundra, peacefully grazing or fiercely battling for dominance, feels like stepping back into an ancient, wilder time.

Joining a Secret Atlas expedition to Scoresbysund and Northeast Greenland National Park offers a great opportunity to observe musk oxen in their natural home, guided by a passionate team that shares your love of exploration. Travelling on a small ship with a small group means a lighter footprint, and a closer connection with the landscapes and wildlife.