Tundra Ox

Breathing steam and kicking up snow, a great beast charges out of the fog. This is the Tundra Ox, a new-age cousin to the proud musk-ox that once dominated the snowy plains of the artic. This one is covered in frost and snow as if the landscape itself has come to life to challenge you. The massive animal lowers his horns and stampedes straight towards you…better run…

The Tundra ox is a muskox-like mammal native to the frigid tundra and forests of post-nuclear apocalypse North America, where it roams in large tight-knit herds. Although closely related to the muskox, the tundra ox is an altogether leaner and taller animal, having the somewhat graceful build of a buffalo instead of the squat frame of a muskox. The muzzle is elongated like a sheep’s for browsing, and much like their ancestors, both sexes possess a heavy bony plate across the forehead that ends in two big curved horns, which is thought to help aid them in digging up vegetation from under snow drifts in the cold seasons.
Tundra oxen live in herds comprised of females and a handful of males, with herds growing from 8 to 13 individuals. Hierarchy is normally determined by size and age, with bigger and older individuals ranking higher than the others. Although both sexes live together their activities are often gender-segregated outside of the summertime mating season. Dominant males form harems and drive out the subordinate males, who then form temporary bachelor herds for protection; after the mating season ends they are welcomed back into the herd as if nothing had ever happened. Tundra oxen lack musk glands and instead use cow-like vocalizations to communicate, and the males resort to headbutting when disputing the rights to mate.
Because of their long shaggy coat, they also make great winter mounts. These bulky animals can stay in the frozen snowy tundra all year round, surviving temperatures of -70 degrees centigrade. Along with thick fur that helps keep it warm in the cold mountain climate, large hooved feet evenly disperse its weight so it doesn’t sink in deep snowdrifts.
A large grazing herbivore, Tundra ox is somewhat easy prey for anything larger than itself. Its size and horns only work to deter smaller predators, and bulls who tend to be much larger then females determine the defensive formation during rutting, while the cows decide the rest of the year. Despite this however, occasional predators, likely mainly predators of calves or infirm adults, can include Yaoi Guai, The North- American Dire Bear, Deathclaw, Packs of wild mongrels as well as humans and other predators.
Tundra oxen, however, are easily domesticated. In many areas where normal standard brahmin have a hard time surviving, Tundra ox are farmed for their meat, hides, wool, milk, and hooves. If properly trained they can haul cargo, pull carts, or even accommodate a human mount; in some parts of Canada they’re a popular alternative to the riding horse, which while faster is far less suited in dealing with the rough terrain.

Trivia

• Coat color for Tundra Ox can range from a mix of black, grey, and brown, and their long guard hairs are known almost reach the ground. Rare White individuals are known to exist, and are highly sacred as well as protected animals.

• Brahmin and Tundra Ox can mix breed, similar to how domesticated cattle and bison could. Brahdra or Tunmin (northern naming), are a fertile hybrid offspring of domestic Brahmin, usually a male in managed breeding programs, and the Tundra ox, usually a female in managed breeding programs. Similar in reasons as to why the Beefalo was bred, The Tunmin was created to combine the characteristics of both animals for beef production. The meat is said too be lower in fat and cholesterol than standard Brahmin cattle.