Adaptations

 Ice Ages and the Arctic

Over the course of the species’ approximately 600,000 year history, the musk ox has developed some very interesting ways to stay warm and protected during the long cold winter months in the arctic.  

Musk oxen do not migrate or hibernate to escape winter conditions.  They need to remain active and eat on a regular basis throughout the winter.

One strategy for surviving as a large vegetarian in the Arctic is to conserve energy.  They do not move around very much, especially compared to species like caribou.

  Qiviut

The most significant adaptation against the frigid temperatures of their natural environment is a layer of under-wool grown every fall, called qiviut (pronounced KIV-EE-UTE).  The qiviut fibers are extremely fine, which makes it both soft and incredibly warm: it can protect the musk ox in temperatures colder than 80 degrees below zero. 

Qiviut grows to be about three inches thick all over the body.  It is shed each spring to keep the animals cool in the summer and so that a new clean coat can be grown for the following winter.  The coarse outer guard hair grows throughout the life of the animal and is shed intermittently throughout the year.

Eight times warmer than sheep's wool by weight and incredibly soft, qiviut is hand-knit by Alaskan natives into some of the most luxurious garments in the world.

On the Musk Ox Farm the qiviut is collected by combing in the spring. An adult musk ox can produce about five to seven pounds of this rare fiber each year. The qiviut is then wholesaled to Oomingmak, the Musk Ox Producers' Cooperative, as the raw material for a thriving native cottage industry.

Qiviut shedding naturally in the spring. Photo courtesy of John Gomes