Editing Muskox (section)

== Physical characteristics ==
[[File:Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) male Dovrefjell 3.jpg|thumb]]
Both male and female muskoxen have long, curved [[Horn (anatomy)|horns]]. Muskoxen stand {{cvt|1.1|to|1.5|m|ftin}} high at [[withers]], with females measuring {{cvt|135|to|200|cm|ftin}} in length, and the larger males {{cvt|200|to|250|cm|ftin}}. The small tail, often concealed under a layer of fur, measures only {{cvt|10|cm}} long. Adults, on average, weigh {{cvt|285|kg}}, but can range from {{cvt|180|to|410|kg}}.<ref name="Burnie" /><ref name="ellis">{{cite web |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ovibos_moschatus.html |title=Ellis, E. ''Ovibos moschatus'' |publisher=Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu |access-date=2011-03-03}}</ref> The thick coat and large head suggest a larger animal than the muskox truly is; the bison, to which the muskox is often compared, can weigh up to twice as much.<ref>[http://www.arkive.org/muskox/ovibos-moschatus/ Muskox videos, photos and facts – Ovibos moschatus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825021821/http://www.arkive.org/muskox/ovibos-moschatus/ |date=2012-08-25 }}. ARKive. Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref> However, heavy zoo-kept specimens have weighed up to {{cvt|650|kg}}.<ref name="Lent 1988">{{cite journal |journal=Mammalian Species |url=http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-302-01-0001.pdf |title=''Ovibos moschatus'' |volume=302 |issue=1–9 |year=1988 |author=Lent, Peter C |pages=1–9 |doi=10.2307/3504280 |jstor=3504280 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520210223/http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-302-01-0001.pdf |archive-date=2013-05-20}}</ref> Their coat, a mix of black, gray and brown, includes long [[guard hair]]s that almost reach the ground. Rare "white muskoxen" have been spotted in the [[Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thelon.com/geese.htm |title=Search for the Legendary White Musk-ox |publisher=Thelon.com |date=2010-08-06 |access-date=2011-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011938/http://www.thelon.com/geese.htm |archive-date=2011-07-17}}</ref> Muskoxen are occasionally semi-domesticated for wool, and rarely for meat and milk. The U.S. state of [[Alaska]] has several muskoxen farms specifically aimed at wool harvesting.<ref name="AK_Game">{{cite web |url=http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=muskox.uses |title=Muskox Uses |publisher=Alaska Department of Fish and Game |access-date=2017-02-01}}</ref><ref name="Wilkinson1974">{{Cite journal |last=Wilkinson |first=Paul F. |date=1974 |title=The history of musk-ox domestication |journal=Polar Record |volume=17 |issue=106 |pages=13–22 |doi=10.1017/S0032247400031302 |bibcode=1974PoRec..17...13W |s2cid=131125814}}</ref> The [[wool]], called ''[[qiviut]]'', is highly prized for its softness, length, and insulation value. Prices for yarn range between {{cvt|40|and|80|$/oz|$/g|round=0.5|order=flip}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qiviut.com/store/index.cfm?target=Fiber%20/%20Yarn |title=The Qiviut Fiber and Yarn |publisher=Qiviut.com |access-date=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060712104513/http://www.uaf.edu/lars/qiviut.html Large Animal Research Station].uaf.edu. Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100214033207/http://www.alaskabeadstore.com/Qiviut.html Muskox Wool – Qiviut (Kiv-ee-oot)]. alaskabeadstore.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref>

A muskox can reach speeds of up to {{cvt|60|km/h|mph|abbr=on|lk=in}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moskussafari.no/en/musk_ox.htm |title=Muskox |work=moskussafari.no |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200336/http://www.moskussafari.no/en/musk_ox.htm |archive-date=2013-10-29}}</ref> Their life expectancy is between 12 and 20 years.