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Region: North America, Eurasia Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Genus: Alces Scientific Name: Alces alces americana
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Description:
Moose are the largest member of the deer family. European moose are known as elk and are smaller in size than the North American moose. Legs are long and slim, ending in cloven hooves. Front legs are very long and body is deep at the shoulder, giving it a humped appearance. They are low-rumped with slim hindquarters and a stubby tail. The neck is short, the head heavy and compact and the nose extends over a long flexible overhanging upper lip. Ears are mulish although not as long. From the throat hangs a pendant of fur-covered skin. Antlers in season may extend to 2 m.
Length of body and head: 240 - 310 cm
Length of tail: 5 - 12 cm
Height at shoulder: 140 - 235 cm
Weight: 200 - 825 kg
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Distribution:
Northern Canada, Alaska, Northern Europe and northern Asia
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Habitat:
Temperate forests, both deciduous and coniferous, and tundra of the northern hemisphere.
Along the margins of lakes, muskegs and streams of the boreal forest, rocky hillsides of the western mountain ranges and even on the northern tundra.
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Food:
In summer moose browse on leaves, twigs and aquatic plants. Winter diet is twigs, shrubs and willow bark.
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Reproduction and Development:
Breeding occurs in the fall and calves are usually born in late May and June after a gestation period of 240 - 250 days. Most births produce a single calf but twins are not uncommon. As the time of birth approaches, the cow seeks seclusion and, if associated with her young of the previous year, will aggressively drive the young away. The yearling generally does not stray far from its mother and may re-associate with her several weeks after the birth of the new calf. Calves grow rapidly on a diet of milk and plants. They stay with their mother for one year - sometimes longer. Females are sexually mature at 2 - 3 years but breed most successfully between 4 and 12 years. Males reach maximum weight from 7 - 10 years and cows around 4 - 5 years. Life expectancy in the wild is 8 - 10 years, seldom more than 16.
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Adaptations:
Long legs, built for wading through bogs and shallow lakes, carry the moose easily over deadfall trees or through snow that would slow down a deer or a wolf. Trotting speed is about 25 km/h, but when pursued they can travel up to 35km/h. Moose are powerful swimmers and are quite at home in the water, sometimes diving 5 m or more for plants growing on the bottom of the lake. Eyesight is very poor but highly efficient senses of smell and hearing compensate for this.
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Threats to Survival:
Main predators are wolves and the bears preying upon young calves in the spring. Habitat is being altered by lumbering operations. Hunters prize antlers as trophies and one moose can supply up to 270 kg of meat. Deaths on highways and railroad tracks are common. Moose are also susceptible to parasites hosted by the white-tailed deer, one of which is called “Parelaphostrongylus”, the common name of this sickness is “moose sickness”. This is fatal to moose and as a result moose numbers decline when their range overlaps with white-tailed deer.
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Status:
Common
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Zoo Diet:
Ruminant pellets, alfalfa hay, cattle mineral salt, with intake varying seasonally.
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Store
Animal Fact Sheet
The New Tundra Trek