Moose (Alces alces)

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Moose (Cervidae: Alces alces)

The Moose is the largest member of the deer family Cervidae. The distribution of the Moose is almost limited to the Northern Boreal Forest in North America, although a tongue extends southward from the Taiga into the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, southward to Colorado. The Moose is also found in the Taiga regions of Asia and Europe.

Characteristic Features: The Moose looks like a very large, stocky, and gangly deer. The head is large with an enormous nose and a flap of membrane hanging from the neck. The antlers of the males are massive and flat with small teeth projecting from the outer margins. Females do not have antlers. A Moose ranges in height from 5 to 6.5 feet in height and can weigh almost 1200 pounds. The record spread of the antlers is nearly 78 inches.

Similar Species: There are no similar species in North America.

Habitat: The Moose is most often seen near (or in) water, either in streams, lakes, marshes, or other wetlands.

Food: During the spring, summer, and fall the Moose feeds almost exclusively on aquatic vegetation, wading and browsing along the shorelines of lakes, streams, and marshes. Moose are acomplished, fast swimmers. The Moose spends the winter feeding on twigs, bark, and small tree saplings.

Behavior: The Moose is primarily nocturnal, although they can be seen at any time of day. They are solitary by nature except for a female and her calf. Males shed their antlers at the beginning of winter after the mating season in the fall. A Moose can live up to 20 years. Moose are agressive in defense.

Reproduction: Mating takes place in the fall and the calves are born in May and June. The normal brood is a single calf, although 2 have been reported. The calfs are light brown with a dark stripe down the back.