{"id":8357,"date":"2026-01-27T09:07:39","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T08:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturelfes.com\/?p=8357"},"modified":"2026-01-27T09:18:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T08:18:54","slug":"on-the-trail-of-musk-oxen-in-norway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturelfes.com\/en\/on-the-trail-of-musk-oxen-in-norway\/","title":{"rendered":"On the Trail of Musk Oxen in Norway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On the Trail of Musk Oxen in Norway<\/h1>\n\n
\"Musk<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

During my last trip to Norway (see post<\/a><\/em>), I had hesitated to go see the musk oxen, but the long drive had put me off\u2026 Still drawn to these magnificent prehistoric \u201cmoo-moos,\u201d I took advantage of the magical colors of the Norwegian tundra in autumn to go in search of them.<\/p>\n\n

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Location<\/strong>: Dovrefjell National Park, NorwaySpecies Encountered<\/strong>: Musk OxenTime<\/strong>: Late September<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Who am I?<\/h2>\n\n
\"Interpretive<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

I am the musk ox, a true survivor from prehistory. With my thick, woolly coat, I am perfectly adapted to northern climates and capable of withstanding the extreme temperatures of the tundra. I am imposing: I can reach 1.5 meters at the shoulder and weigh up to 400 kg. My massive crescent-shaped horns, present in both males and females, help me defend myself and assert my place within the herd, where I live alongside other individuals. Our herds can range from 10 to 30 members, with composition varying by season. Like humans, my calf develops in my womb for nine months, but it stays by my side for only the first two years of its life \ud83d\ude09. Still, it is fairly independent from as early as two months old, able to find most of its food, which consists mainly of lichens and tundra grasses. To communicate, we use grunts, calls, and powerful breaths, which warn other herd members, signal threats, or maintain group cohesion. Once extinct in Norway, I was reintroduced into Dovrefjell\u2013Sunndalsfjella National Park, but I can also be found in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. <\/p>\n\n

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If you\u2019re lucky enough to spot me, keep a safe distance of at least 200 meters, as I can run up to 60 km\/h.<\/div>