Trivia question for Nov-09-2011

Olivia likes all creatures big and small which is evident by her choice for todays trivia.  These guys survive on the sparse vegetation of the bleak Arctic tundra.  They live farther north and in colder conditions than any other hoofed animals.

These animals are native to the Arctic areas of Canada, Greenland, and the United States. The Alaska population was wiped out in the late 19th or early 20th century. Their depletion has been attributed to over hunting, but it may alternatively be because the climate had become unsuitable. However, they have since been reintroduced to Alaska. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service introduced them onto the Nunivak Island in 1935 as a means for subsistence living.

So here are Olivia’s questions:  Tell us what this mighty animal is called and tell us how long their hair gets?  Also, tell us how they got their name and how these guys sweat?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations goes out to Natalie BorgardtNatalie Borgardt for being the first with the correct answer. The husky creatures we featured are the Musk Ox. The muskox is an Arctic mammal of the Bovidae family, noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted by males, from which its name derives. This musky odor is used to attract females during mating season. Muskoxen primarily live in Arctic North America and Greenland, with small introduced populations in Sweden, Siberia and Norway.

Their hair can reach up to 24-inches in length which helps to insulate these beasts from the harsh cold weather.  Their hair can actually resist frost.  The information we found states that these animals actually have no sweat glands so to lose heat they actually pant like a dog or they will stand in deep snow drifts to cool themselves down.  Natalie reported that these guys supposedly have sweat glands between their toes but we could not find that.  Here is more on these stinky beasts: Musk Ox

Thanks for playing along 😉