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Which bovid species live in Arctic tundra habitats?
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bovid
American bison, or plains buffalo (Bison bison).
The bovid species that inhabit Arctic tundra environments are the musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) and the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), which is known as the caribou in North America.12
While the term "bovid" refers to members of the family Bovidaeāa group that includes antelopes, sheep, goats, cattle, and bisonāthese two species are the primary representatives of the family adapted to the severe conditions of the Arctic tundra.31
- Musk Oxen: These stocky, shaggy-haired mammals are highly adapted for conserving energy in cold climates. They possess exceptionally thick coats and a dense underlayer of wool called qiviut. They are found in parts of northern Canada, Greenland, and have been introduced to regions in Alaska, Siberia, and Scandinavia.41
- Reindeer (Caribou): These animals are well-suited to the tundra, possessing sharp hooves and antlers that allow them to forage for lichens and flowering plants beneath the snow. They are found across the Arctic regions of Eurasia and North America.1