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What the sources say

MuskoxOvibos moschatus

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Muskox profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 46 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Gunn & Forchhammer 2022

Gunn & Forchhammer (2022). Ovibos moschatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T29684A22149286.

The page saysThe IUCN Red List rates the species Least Concern.
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).

Source
02

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) species profile. Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The page saysBulls settle rivalries by charging 50 yards or more and colliding head-first on their horn bosses.
The source saysthe bulls charge at top speed from distances of 50 yards or more and collide squarely on the horn bossesNote: tagline; 'settle rivalries' is the rut contest to dominance, quoted below
The page saysFour inches of horn and three inches of bone over a bull's brain
The source saysFour inches of horn and three inches of bone lie directly over the brain in the area of contactNote: stats.superpower
The page saysGrasses, sedges, forbs and woody plants
The source saysMuskoxen eat a wide variety of plants, including grasses, sedges, forbs, and woody plants.Note: stats.diet, first part
The page saysThe muskox (Ovibos moschatus) settles its rivalries with a head-on crash. During the rut, the breeding season, bulls charge at top speed from distances of 50 yards or more and collide squarely on the horn bosses.
The source saysDuring the rut, bulls battle in spectacular and violent contests. After a period of aggressive displays, the bulls charge at top speed from distances of 50 yards or more and collide squarely on the horn bosses.Note: rut = breeding season: ADFG says the breeding season begins late summer, mating August to October (claimed below)
The page saysAfter a clash, the bulls back away from each other, swing their heads from side to side and repeat the sequence until one bull turns and runs away.
The source saysAfter a clash, the bulls back away from each other swinging their heads from side to side and repeat the sequence until one bull turns and runs away.
The page saysBattles have included upwards of 20 clashes.
The source saysBattles have included upwards of 20 clashes.
The page saysThe bases nearly span the entire forehead
The source saysThe horns of bulls develop large bases which nearly span the entire forehead.
The page saysBull muskoxen have heavily armored skulls to protect them from the shock of impact: four inches of horn and three inches of bone lie directly over the brain in the area of contact.
The source saysBull muskoxen have heavily armored skulls to protect them from the shock of impact. Four inches of horn and three inches of bone lie directly over the brain in the area of contact.
The page saysBoth sexes have horns, but the horns of bulls are larger and heavier than those of cows.
The source saysBoth male and female muskoxen have horns, but the horns of bulls are larger and heavier than those of cows.
The page saysMating takes place between August and October.
The source saysmating takes place between August and October
The page saysHarem groups form during that season, holding 5 to 15 females and sub-adults with one dominant bull who prevents other adult bulls from entering the group.
The source saysSmaller harem groups which form during the mating season contain anywhere from 5 to 15 females and sub-adults, with one dominant bull who prevents other adult bulls from entering the group.
The page saysWolves and grizzly bears hunt muskoxen.
The source saysPredators Wolves and grizzly bears.Note: ADFG Fast Facts list predators; 'hunt' = predator
The page saysThe coat has a long, coarse outer layer and a short, fine underhair.
The source saysThe coat consists of a long, coarse, outer layer, and a short, fine underhair.
The page saysThe long guard hair hangs nearly to the ground
The source saysa reference to the long guard hair that hangs nearly to the ground
The page saysThe muskox's soft, brownish, wool-like underhair has been called the rarest fiber in the world and is highly valued.
The source saysThe muskox's soft brownish wool-like underhair, called qiviut, has been called the rarest fiber in the world and is highly valued.
The page saysMature bulls stand about 5 feet (1.5 m) high at the shoulder and weigh 600 to 800 pounds (roughly 270 to 360 kg).
The source saysMature bulls are about 5 feet high at the shoulder and weigh 600-800 pounds.Note: metric from 5 ft = 1.5 m; 600-800 lb = 272-363 kg
The page saysCows average about 4 feet (1.2 m) and 400 to 500 pounds (roughly 180 to 230 kg).
The source saysCows are smaller, averaging approximately 4 feet in height and weighing 400-500 pounds.Note: metric from 4 ft = 1.2 m; 400-500 lb = 181-227 kg
The page saysThey had disappeared from Alaska by the 1920s. In 1930, 34 animals were captured in East Greenland and brought to Fairbanks, and all muskoxen in Alaska today descend from them.
The source saysall muskox in Alaska today are descended from these animals ... By the 1920s, muskox had also disappeared from Alaska ... In 1930, 34 muskox were captured in East Greenland and brought to Fairbanks.Note: the last sentence is in the Did You Know box
The page saysYes. The muskox is native to Alaska but had been extirpated there (wiped out locally) by the 1920s. Every muskox in Alaska today descends from 34 animals captured in East Greenland and transplanted to Alaska in 1930.
The source saysMuskox are native to Alaska, but were extirpated by the 1920s. In 1930, 34 muskox captured in East Greenland were transplanted to Alaska, and all muskox in Alaska today are descended from these animals.Note: faq 4, rewritten in review so it no longer copies the body; Did You Know box
The page saysRutting muskox bulls charge at top speed from 50 yards or more and collide on the horn bosses, then back off and do it again, up to 20 clashes a battle.
The source saysthe bulls charge at top speed from distances of 50 yards or more and collide squarely on the horn bossesNote: vibe.reason; same source as the body claim
The page saysdangerLevel: High
The source saysthe bulls charge at top speed from distances of 50 yards or more and collide squarely on the horn bosses

Source
03

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus): uses. Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The page saysAlaska's wildlife agency says it is considered the world's warmest wool for its weight.
The source saystheir soft underwool called qiviut, considered the world’s warmest wool for its weightNote: the source is the Alaska Department of Fish and Game; 'considered' kept
The page saysQiviut is the soft underwool of the muskox. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says it is considered the world's warmest wool for its weight.
The source saystheir soft underwool called qiviut, considered the world’s warmest wool for its weightNote: faq 2

Source
04

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Ovibos moschatus (muskox). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysArctic tundra north of the tree line in Canada, Greenland and Alaska; also introduced to Russia, Svalbard and Norway
The source sayscircumpolar species native to Canada, Greenland, and up until the late 1800's, Alaska. The species was reintroduced to Alaska from animals captured in Greenland in the 1930's. Muskox have also been introduced into Russia, Svalbard, Norway, and Siberia. ... lives north of the tree line on the arctic tundraNote: stats.habitat
The page sayswillow and dwarf birch stems in winter
The source saysIn the winter months, the diet of muskoxen changes to willow, dwarf birch stems, roots, mosses, lichenNote: stats.diet, second part
The page saysA horn boss is the extra-thick base of a bull's horns; cows lack it.
The source saysFemales grow horns, but lack the extra thickness of a horn boss at the base of the horns. ... Males have a large horn boss, which is an extra thickness of the base of their horns at the top of the skullNote: definition added in review
The page saysthe boss is between 15 and 20 cm thick
The source saysMales have a large horn boss, which is an extra thickness of the base of their horns at the top of the skull, that is between 15 and 20 cm thick.
The page saysFights between bulls are rarely fatal.
The source saysThis behavior is rarely fatal.Note: 'this behavior' = the headbutting contests between males
The page saysWhen a predator comes head on, muskoxen line up with their heads down and their horns facing the attacker, with the calves generally behind the adults.
The source saysWhen faced with a predator coming head on, muskoxen line up with their heads down and horns facing the attacker. The calves are generally located behind the adults.
The page saysWhen several predators attack, the herd creates a circle with horns pointed out and calves in the center.
The source saysWhen attacked by multiple predators, the herd creates a circle with horns pointed out and calves in the center of the herd.
The page saysMuskoxen have been known to throw and trample wolves.
The source saysMuskoxen have been known to throw and trample wolves.
The page saysMuskoxen can overheat easily and cannot run faster than wolves or bears long enough to escape. They tend to stay in the circle as long as possible.
The source saysthese animals can overheat easily and cannot run faster than wolves or bears long enough to escape from them. They therefore tend to stay in the circle formation as long as possible.
The page sayson older animals it can grow long enough to brush it
The source saysThis portion of the pelage can grow long enough to brush the ground on older muskoxen.
The page saysFor warmth, calves often stand underneath their mother's skirt of guard hair.
The source saysFor warmth, calves often lie with their mother, or stand underneath her skirt next to her belly.Note: 'skirt of guard hair': 'Muskox calves follow their mothers and hide underneath the mother's skirt of guard hair.' Review: put the source's 'often' back
The page saysIt begins growing in the fall and is shed out through the guard hair in the spring.
The source saysIt begins growing in the fall and is shed out through the guard hair in the spring.
The page saysBulls measure 200 to 250 cm from head to rump
The source saysThe combined head and body length varies from 200 to 250 cm.Note: males; 'head to rump' = head and body length
The page saysand cows 135 to 200 cm
The source saysHead and body length can vary from 135 to 200 cm.Note: females
The page saysMuskoxen live north of the tree line on the Arctic tundra.
The source sayslives north of the tree line on the arctic tundra
The page saysThey are native to Canada and Greenland.
The source sayscircumpolar species native to Canada, Greenland, and up until the late 1800's, Alaska.
The page saysHerds have also been introduced to Russia, Svalbard and Norway, and some found their own way from Norway into Sweden.
The source saysMuskox have also been introduced into Russia, Svalbard, Norway, and Siberia. Some herds have also found their own way from Norway into Sweden.
The page saysAgainst one attacker coming head on, the adults form a line, heads lowered and horns forward, with the calves generally behind them. Against several, they close into a ring with horns out and calves inside. Larger adults may charge out at a predator, and muskoxen have been known to throw and trample wolves.
The source saysWhen faced with a predator coming head on, muskoxen line up with their heads down and horns facing the attacker. The calves are generally located behind the adults. When attacked by multiple predators, the herd creates a circle with horns pointed out and calves in the center of the herd. Larger adults may charge out to attack a predator.Note: faq 1, rewritten in review so it no longer copies the body; wolves line is the claim below
The page saysweightKg: 320
The source saysMales typically weigh an average of 320 kg, with a range of 300 to 400 kg.Note: task #1114: ADW's male average (its all-adult average is 285 kg); Heavy, where the name guess gave Light. Not in a curated matchup
The page saysdangerLevel: High
The source saysMuskoxen have been known to throw and trample wolves.Note: task #1114: High is dangerous when cornered or provoked: a 320 kg animal that charges and tramples

Source
05

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Build 15, Human Ageing Genomic Resources

AnAge entry for Ovibos moschatus. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Build 15, Human Ageing Genomic Resources.

The page saysA lifespan database reports that muskoxen may live up to 24 years in the wild, and one wild-born animal was about 27.4 years old when it died in captivity.
The source saysIn the wild it has been reported that these animals may live up to 24 years [ 0542 ]. One wild born specimen was about 27.4 years old when it died in captivity [ 0671 ].
The page saysWild muskoxen have been reported to live up to 24 years. AnAge's maximum longevity record is about 27.4 years, for a muskox born in the wild that died in captivity.
The source saysMaximum longevity 27.4 years (captivity) ... In the wild it has been reported that these animals may live up to 24 years [ 0542 ]. One wild born specimen was about 27.4 years old when it died in captivity [ 0671 ].Note: faq 3

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.