Quantitative characteristics of nutrition in free-ranging reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus) on Wrangel Island

Free-ranging reindeer and musk oxen on Wrangel Island exhibit similar nutritional parameters, with daily forage intake varying seasonally. Musk oxen consume 7.8 kg of dry weight forage in summer but reduce this to 6.1 kg during the snow period (March–April), while reindeer intake drops to 3.9 kg in winter. Forage digestibility remains consistent across seasons for both species, ranging from 52% to 57%. Metabolizable energy consumption aligns with maintenance levels in winter but increases for musk oxen in summer to meet energy demands. The study employed field tracking of 24-hour animal movements and fecal analysis to estimate intake and digestibility, providing critical insights into the nutritional ecology of these species in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kazmin, V. D., & Abaturov, B. D. (2011). Quantitative characteristics of nutrition in free-ranging reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus) on Wrangel Island. Biology Bulletin, 38(9), 935–941. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1062359011090056