Reproduction

The Ovibos moschatus reproduce sexually and are considered harem breeders (Elder 2005). Harem breeders are where one male tries to outcompete other males for the attention of the the other females in the herd (Gunn 1992).

 This results in one male having control or being the dominant male of the herd.  The males of the herd compete in a certain manner or behavior for dominance.  Through posturing, head swaying, and roaring, the males try to appall the others by these gestures (Gustine 2010).  The males start competing for dominance at the ages six or eight and continue on for their whole lifetime until they are not as large enough to compete.  The males also hit sexual maturity between three and four years of age. 

The females on the other hand are sexually mature between the ages of one to four years old. The Ovibos moschatus usually mate during late August and go into September (Muskox 1995).  They give birth to ususally one offspring (twins are rare) between mid-April and mid-May.  The offspring, calves, are standing ususally after forty-five minutes.  When born, the calves weigh about nine to eleven kilograms. 

                                            Adaptation                                                     Interaction