Title: Brehm's Life of animals : a complete natural history for popular home instruction and for the use of schools. Mammalia
Identifier: brehmslifeofanim1896breh (find matches)
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Brehm, Alfred Edmund, 1829-1884; Pechuel-Loesche, Edward, 1840-1913; Haacke, Wilhelm, 1855-1912; Schmidtlein, Richard
Subjects: Mammals; Animal behavior
Publisher: Chicago : Marquis
Contributing Library: Internet Archive
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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THE HORNED ANIMALS—OX TRIBE. 4(57 The hair is generally short and sleek, but is some- times developed into a mane on certain parts of the body. The Ox Tribe All Europe, Africa, central and Widely Distributed southern Asia, as well as the north- Over the Earth. ern portions of America maybe re- garded as the native country of the Ox tribe; at present the species which have been subjected to the dominion of Man, are distributed over all parts of the globe. The wild species inhabit the most widely variant localities, some affecting dense wood- land; others, open grassy spots, some delighting in plains, others in mountains, where they may ascend to a height of sixteen thousand or twenty thousand feet. Some prefer swampy situations and moors, others dry regions. Very few live habitually in one place; nearly all lead a roving life. Those which swimmers, and cross the widest streams without hes- itation. Their strength is uncommonly great, their endurance wonderful. Among the perceptive senses that of smell ranks first; hearing is also acute, but sight is not so well developed. The mental capaci- ties are of a low order; the wild species, however, display much more intelligence than the tame ones. The character of the Ox tribe is manifold and widely at variance in the different species. On the whole, they are gentle and trustful toward creatures which are not dangerous to them or do not annoy them; but they also may upon occasion become ex- ceedingly fierce, pugnacious and courageous. If they are irritated, they charge at the strongest beasts of prey, regardless of any peril, and know how to em- ploy their weapons with such skill and effect that they frequently come out victorious. In general
Text Appearing After Image:
THE MUSK-OX. This inhabitant of the arctic regions of America is an intervening genus between the Sheep and the Ox. It is clothed with brown hair, nearly a yard in length, covering the thick, woolly under fur. The horns of the adult male meet in the middle line of the forehead, as shown in the picture. It is heavily built, with short legs, but climbs rocks and precipices with ease. (Ovibos moschatus.) inhabit mountains descend into the valleys in winter; those living in the north move southward; others migrate, urged by lack of food, seeking more abun- dant pasturage. The species are, without exception, gregarious and congregate in herds, under the lead- ership of strong, experienced animals. Some spe- cies band together by thousands. Old males occa- sionally segregate themselves from the herd and lead the life of hermits. Physical Attn- All Oxen in their movements appear butes of the lumbering and slow, but they are per- Ox Tribe. fectly well able to travel at a rapid rate; and they display a great many more accom- plishments than one would give them credit for. Their usual gait is a slow walk; but they can also trot and occasionally break into a remarkably awk- ward but swift gallop. The species inhabiting moun- tains are masterly climbers. All are accomplished their disposition one toward another is peaceable, though they fight with a decided ferocity at certain times. The usual vocal expression of the species consists of a bellowing or " lowing " of a variable pitch, or of a grunt and growl, generally emitted under the influence of excitement. The Diet Plants of a great variety constitute of the the food of the animals of the Ox Tribe. tribe. They consume foliage and tender buds, shoots and branches of the greatest variety of trees, herbage, bark of trees, moss and lichens, aquatic plants and those growing in bog and swamps, even sharp reed-grass and reed-like plants. In the domestic state or in captivity they feed on all kinds of vegetables. They are all very fond of salt, and water is indispensable for them; some delight in wallowing in muddy pools or lie in rivers or ponds for hours.

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