# Alaska Moose (*alces alces gigas*) The Alaska Moose is the largest member of the deer family, with long legs and a huge set of antlers. They love to munch on leaves, twigs, and aquatic plants in the forests and wetlands of Alaska! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 20 - **Habitat:** Forests, wetlands, and grasslands of Alaska - **Also known as:** Alaska Elk, Big Moose, Giant Moose ![Alaska Moose](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bigbullmoose.jpg&width=800) Photo: Donna Dewhurst, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bigbullmoose.jpg) ## Appearance The Alaska Moose is the largest subspecies of moose, known for its dark brown to reddish-brown coat. It has a distinctive shoulder hump and long, pale legs. Males grow massive, broad antlers that can span over six feet, making them easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Cervidae - **Genus:** Alces ## Interesting facts - A moose can move each of its huge ears in different directions to listen! - Moose can grow a dewlap, a flap of skin under their chin! - Moose shed their massive antlers and grow new ones every single year! - Their humped back is packed with strong muscles, not fat! ## Special abilities - **Antler Power:** Alaska Moose can grow huge, bony antlers that help them defend against predators and attract mates. - **Aquatic Grazer:** Alaska Moose can dive and hold their breath for over a minute to munch on tasty plants at the bottom of ponds. - **Towering Stride:** Alaska Moose have incredibly long legs that help them wade through deep snow and cross muddy wetlands with ease. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 240-320 cm - **Weight:** 270-700 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 56 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 230-240 days ## Diet & Feeding A leaf-loving giant, the Alaska Moose munches on plants, twigs, and even underwater greenery! - **Age differences:** Calves drink milk then slowly transition to plants; adults mostly eat woody browse in winter. - **Primary Foods:** Willow, Aspen, Birch, Aquatic plants, Pine needles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Gray Wolf](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-wolf) (*Canis lupus*) — Packs often hunt calves and weakened adult moose. - **Eaten by:** [Grizzly Bear](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grizzly-bear) (*Ursus arctos*) — Known to prey on young calves and sometimes sick adults. - **Depends on:** [Quaking Aspen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quaking-aspen) (*Populus tremuloides*) — Moose browse on its leaves, twigs, and bark for food. - **Parasitizes:** Winter Tick (*Dermacentor albipictus*) — Heavy infestations can cause hair loss and weaken moose. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Keep a safe distance if you see a moose in the wild! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Alaska Moose? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Alaska Moose? 240-320 cm ### How much does Alaska Moose weigh? 270-700 kg ### How long does Alaska Moose live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Alaska Moose move? 56 km/h ### What does Alaska Moose eat? A leaf-loving giant, the Alaska Moose munches on plants, twigs, and even underwater greenery! ### Where is Alaska Moose usually found? Forests, wetlands, and grasslands of Alaska ### How does Alaska Moose hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Kincaid Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kincaid-park) — Alaska, US · Park - [Alaska Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-botanical-garden) — Alaska, US · Botanical Garden ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Alaska Moose: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alaska-moose)