<p><strong>Status: Least Concern</strong></p><p>Cozy as it looks, the woolly coat that musk oxen <em>(Ovibos moschatus)</em> boast is merely an outer layer. These huge beasts grow a second, insulating undercoat to cope with the fierce Arctic winter. Hunting once threatened the musk ox’s survival but protection has enabled population growth and reintroduction to former ranges, including Alaska. Photographed at the <a href="https://www.uaf.edu/" target="_blank">University of Alaska Fairbanks</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/art.1713764972" target="_blank">Buy a print</a> | <a href="http://www.natgeocreative.com/photography/1166442" target="_blank">License this photo</a></p>
Musk Ox
Status: Least Concern
Cozy as it looks, the woolly coat that musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus) boast is merely an outer layer. These huge beasts grow a second, insulating undercoat to cope with the fierce Arctic winter. Hunting once threatened the musk ox’s survival but protection has enabled population growth and reintroduction to former ranges, including Alaska. Photographed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
10 Animals That Have Winter Down Cold
It’s cold outside, but that doesn’t slow these animals down. See photos of winter wildlife from National Geographic’s Photo Ark.
