Musk OX and Reindeer

Yesterday we visited a Musk Ox farm and a reindeer farm in Palmer, AK about 50 miles North of Anchorage. Interestingly, the Musk Ox is one of the only Ice Age animals still around. The Alaskans have domesticated the Musk Ox and harvest it's fine undercoat hair to knit articles of clothing that are very warm and attractive. Native Alaskan women are able to derive an income from the knitting that helps support their families. The farm tour was interesting and allow us to get up close to the animals.

We listen as Katie, our guide, explains the history of John Teal's efforts to domesticate the musk ox.

Tam feeds one of the females some fresh dandelion greens

Here comes Stormy, one of the males

He knew what special treasures Katie had for him!

We visited a Reindeer farm that raises Reindeer and Elk. The Reindeer is a domesticated Caribou which for some of us was new knowledge. They also shed and grow new antlers annually. I was wondering why there were so many antlers hanging on sides of barns and on walls in bars and restaurants--the people just have to pick them off the ground. The farm and Reindeer were filmed and used in Super Bowl advertisements.

Check out the fuzzy velvet antlers on this big boy!

A buck and a doe stroll off to rejoin the herd

Can you imagine growing a set of these every year???

Our guide fills us in on some of the particulars about the reindeer

Whoa, Tam!  Watch those big antlers!

For some reason, both the bucks preferred eating from Tam's hands!