The Life Cycle of the Muskox: Ancient Survivors of the Arctic

October 27, 2025 | Arctic Watch

The Life Cycle of the Muskox: Ancient Survivors of the Arctic

Few animals embody the raw, untamed Arctic like the muskox — shaggy, stoic, and perfectly adapted to a world of ice and wind.

These prehistoric giants, survivors from the Ice Age, still roam the tundra in small herds, their thick coats and social bonds allowing them to endure where few species can.

At Arctic Watch, we're fortunate to have residential muskoxen - a species that lives on our island without human pressure or interference.

This summer at Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge, guests witnessed this resilience firsthand.

A Rare Summer Storm and an Unforgettable Encounter

Despite unusually cold and stormy conditions during the summer of 2025, Arctic Watch guest Dan turned challenge into opportunity. With guide Tessum and a small group of guests, the team spent several hours tracking a herd through a fierce snow squall. The bitter wind cut across the tundra, visibility shifted by the minute — and then, suddenly, the storm broke.

Framed by drifting snow and soft Arctic light, a young bull muskox stood watch over his small group of females and calves. The scene was timeless — a moment that felt like stepping back thousands of years into the Ice Age. Dan captured the photo perfectly: the herd’s breath misting in the frigid air, their coats dusted in fresh snow, the quiet power of the Arctic landscape all around them.

The cold snap wasn’t just atmospheric — it had biological consequences too. It triggered the muskox rut earlier than usual, setting the stage for behavior rarely seen by visitors this early in the season. The bull displayed several rutting behaviours, notably herding his females, trying to mate with several of them (the ladies continuously rejecting his advances), and trying to corral the offspring.

Understanding the Muskox Rut

The rut, or breeding season, is one of the most dramatic periods in the muskox life cycle. Typically occurring in late August through September, it marks a time when bulls compete for dominance and breeding rights.

Male muskoxen — often weighing over 300 kilograms — clash in thunderous head-to-head battles. Their skulls, reinforced by dense bone, absorb the impact of collisions that can be heard echoing across the tundra. The victors establish small harems of females and calves, which they guard until the breeding season ends.

This intense display ensures that only the strongest and healthiest bulls pass on their genes — a vital adaptation for survival in the extreme Arctic environment.

Seasons of the Muskox: A Life in Extremes

Winter: Muskoxen form tight herds and face temperatures below –40 °C. They survive by using their hooves to dig through snow for frozen grasses and sedges. Their two-layer coat — a coarse outer guard hair and a dense underwool called qiviut — traps heat more effectively than any other natural fiber.

Spring: Calving season begins. Females, pregnant through the long winter, give birth to a single calf in early June. Within hours, the calf can stand and follow the herd — essential in a land with predators like Arctic wolves.

Summer: Short bursts of warmth bring lush tundra vegetation. Herds disperse slightly to graze and regain strength.

Autumn (Rut): Bulls begin to gather females, marking territories and preparing for dominance battles that determine the next generation.

This rhythm has remained unchanged for millennia — a cycle of endurance and adaptation that speaks to the very heart of Arctic life.

A Moment Frozen in Time

Dan’s photograph of that young bull and his herd is more than just a beautiful image — it’s a glimpse into the timeless rhythm of the Arctic. It captures how even in a storm, life continues with quiet strength and purpose.

For those who travel to Arctic Watch, these moments — unpredictable, raw, and unforgettable — are what make the Arctic unlike anywhere else on Earth.