How cold is cold to a musk ox?
FAIRBANKS — It will be “science in action” when the Institute of Arctic Biology Large Animal Research Station (LARS) holds its second annual winter open house Sunday. Scientists will be on hand to discuss research conducted on the large woolly beasts, as well as answer general questions. They will also be operating an ultrasound machine that will reveal, among other things, the many layers of fat the animals need to keep warm in extremely cold climates. “Our theme is winter warmth,” explained Lindsey Blaine, LARS outreach coordinator. “We’ll have an ultrasound set up in the barn so people can get an idea of what it takes for a musk ox to survive in the arctic winter. People will get some in-depth information on how they eat, how their digestion works, and how they gain so much weight during the summer. You can also fell the fine, extremely warm under wool called qiviut.” Much of the open house will be self-guided, and visitors can wander past animal pens containing musk ox calves, cari
