http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/science/14angier.html?_r=1&ref=science
While countless numbers of artic animals have become extinct over the history of the earth, Musk Oxen have succeeded in surviving, and it is likely they will live on for many more years to come. Although they live in extremely cold areas, these big animals have adaptations, such as two coats of fur, to keep them warm. Their thick fur also doubles as protection from swarms of mosquitoes in the warmer months. Musk oxen are also able to keep warm by theoretically "shutting down" their body in the winter, standing as still as possible and releasing very little heat. Scientists did observe that many of these animals' teeth were beginning to rot and decay, but this seemed to have no effect on their ability to survive. When there are so many concerns about decreasing biodiversity on Earth, it's comforting to know that animals such as the Musk Oxen have the potential to remain a fixture in the ecosystem.
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