With shaggy fur and chunky legs, a baby Musk Ox is taking
center stage at the Calgary Zoo. The calf was
born on April 23 to mom Shyia and dad
Tlayopi. Though Musk Ox calves are big
babies, they have a lot of growing to do before reaching their adult weight of
500 to 800 pounds.
This little calf and his mother appear to be bonding well,
and the calf is nursing regularly. Musk
Ox calves nurse for about two months, then begin eating vegetation like the
adults.
Photo Credit: © The Calgary Zoo by John Ternan
Musk Ox are named for the strong musky odor emitted by adult
males. They lived in small herds of about
20 animals in the Canadian Arctic and in Greenland; herds have also been introduced
in Scandanavia. Adult herd members will protect young calves by
standing in a circle, facing outward, with calves in the center of the
circle.
Musk Ox populations are stable in the wild.
See more photos of the baby Musk Ox below the fold.
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