Musk Oxen: The Lone Survivor?

“The muskox is truly an Ice-Age relic. It originated on the tundra of central Siberia and later entered North America over the Bering Land Bridge. Its bones have been found as far south as the states of

Kansas and Illinois (1).”

            This excerpt is taken from an article written about musk oxen, and truly one of the most remarkable facts about the musk oxen is that this creature is one of a very select group of land mammals to survive the latest Ice Age. While many of the other well known Ice Age creatures, such as the Woolly Mammoth, the Saber Tooth Tiger, and the Giant Land Sloth, were unable to survive the climate changes that took place at the time the Musk Ox was hardy enough to adapt to its changing atmosphere.  As one of the articles I read about the musk oxen’s survival said, “The living muskox was one of the relatively few large mammals in North America that did not go extinct approximately 11,500 years ago.” There are many possible reasons to why this ancient mammal was able to weather the weather while all of its contemporary Ice Age Buddies were frozen in time. To better understand this creature’s survival one must take a look at what it is that sets the musk ox apart from the rest.

            No one is exactly sure what it was that killed off many of the animals that existed during the Ice Age. Many scientists say it was the rapidly changing climate, while others blame a comet storm for killing off these ancient animals – however this theory has been proved false by many researchers because it has been discovered that the animals died of over a period of time, not all at once. It is important to note that there was more than one variety of musk oxen during the time of the Ice Age; the variety that still exist, the tundra musk ox, and a different variety that died along with several other Ice Age mammals, the woodland musk ox. Perhaps one of the reasons that the tundra musk ox was able to outlive its woodland kin is because of its amazing ability to adapt to its environment. While the woodland musk oxen dwelled, as their name suggests, in and around wooded areas it is likely that their diet was a more nutritious one made up of broad leafed trees and the like. On the other hand the tundra musk ox is able to survive off of lichen and dried grass, twigs, bark and even moss; Most of which other animals would not normally eat. The Tundra musk oxen are extremely adaptable which makes them more likely to survive while there are a lot of environmental pressures such as climate change and limited food supplies.

            Another thing that may have aided the musk oxen in surviving the Ice Age is their amazing defense against predators. I will go deeper into their innovative and impressive defensive skills which exemplify the genius of nature in a later post; however, to keep the reader from too much suspense I will briefly explain the natural wisdom these ancient creatures possess. When a herd of musk oxen is under attack (usually by a wolf or a grizzly bear as they are there main predators although this may have been different during the Ice Age) the herd will gather into a large defensive circle enclosing the young, infirm, or elderly oxen in the center, with their horns facing out. The musk oxen will then take turns charging at the perpetrator one or two oxen at a time until the foe is either dead or frightened away. More to come on this subject though, but one can easily see how this defensive system would enable an animal to survive in a chaotic environment because if they work together they are practically indestructible.

            Another attribute of the musk oxen that could have led to their miraculous survival is their innate ability to use as little energy as possible, “their behavior is geared to conserving energy (which is their main survival strategy). While they are agile and can gallop in a short burst of speed, their most common pace is a slow, measured walk (2).” Although musk oxen are able to move rather quickly they are unable to run for long paces because they easily overheat from their thick woolen coats, because of this they do not waste unnecessary energy and they are able to accomplish their daily feats with little output. Perhaps when resources are scares this ability to conserve energy would be of great use to the musk ox.

            Beyond merely the fascination that can be gleaned from such an amazing survival I believe there is a lot to be learned from this tale. The musk oxen were one of a very limited population of large mammals that survived such a devastating environmental change and their strategies are worthy of consideration. They were able to survive because they quickly adapted to change, they band together and defend the weak, and they do not waste energy. Although there is likely a plethora of other attributions, and perhaps some far more scientific, we can learn many important lessons from this gentle creatures survival. What is nature trying to teach us?  Many times as humans we are not very adaptable – we like to have things in a certain order, eat our food prepared a certain way, wear certain clothing, drive a certain car, live in a certain neighborhood, be friends with certain people – we are not very flexible. We like things done our way, and unlike the musk ox, if they are not this way we are unable to adapt with the changes and except them. If the musk oxen would have decided to adapt and eat tree bark when better food like leaves and grass were unavailable they would not exist today. Humans do not naturally ban together when trouble comes, often times we resort to turning against each other. We say “you are only as strong as your weakest link” and in attempt to see to it that we ourselves have what we want we lop off the weaker links – we do not come around them and protect them. The musk oxen conserve energy, they do not waste time or effort or exhaust themselves over a petty task, and this too is a skill that we can apply to our own lives.

            The musk oxen’s prevail of the Ice Age is fascinating. Much more research could be done to figure out all the implications of this magnificent feat – I merely picked out some of the things that may have aided in their survival that stood out most to me. Certainly this is a very debatable and open discussion – and one worthy of looking in to further.

1.http://www.nps.gov/cakr/naturescience/upload/MuskOxFactSheet.pdf
2.http://www.nps.gov/cakr/naturescience/upload/MuskOxFactSheet.pdf