What does a musk ox eat?

Musk oxen are herbivores that eat roots, moss, lichens, flowers and grass. They live in the Arctic, so during the winter months they must dig through snow in order to find plants. During the summer months flowers and grass are more frequently available to them.

Musk oxen grow to 4 to 5 feet in height and weigh between 500 and 800 pounds. In the wild, the life expectancy of musk oxen is between 12 and 20 years. Up to two or three dozen of them live together in a herd. Living in large groups like this allows musk oxen to defend themselves against potential predators, although it does not stop them from being hunted by humans for their hides and meat.