Moose

Alces alces

Moose are the largest members of the deer family. They have long legs and huge antlers.

Habitat: Forests, wetlands, and near lakes.

Appearance

The Moose is a very large mammal with long, dark brown fur and a distinctive shoulder hump. Males grow huge, flat, shovel-like antlers that can spread wide, making them visually different from other deer. They also have a unique fleshy 'bell' or dewlap under their chin.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilyCervidaeGenusAlces

Moose

Interesting facts

A moose's hollow fur helps it float easily in water and keeps it warm in icy conditions.

Baby moose, called calves, can outrun a human just a few days after being born!

Moose antlers are the fastest growing bone in the animal kingdom, growing over an inch a day!

Moose can eat up to 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of food every single day!

Special abilities

Moose can dive underwater and hold their breath for minutes because of special adaptations, helping them find tasty aquatic plants.

Moose has massive antlers that grow incredibly fast each year and are shed annually, used for defense and attracting mates.

Moose can swivel their large ears independently to pinpoint the exact direction of sounds, helping them detect danger.

Moose has incredibly strong legs that allow them to kick in all directions, a powerful defense against predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 240-320 cm
Weight: 200-700 kg
Lifespan: 15-25 years
Top Speed: 56 km/h
Litter Size: 1-2
Gestation: 220-260 days

Diet & Feeding

Moose are plant-eaters that munch on leaves, twigs, bark, and even plants found under the water.

Primary Foods

Willow twigs
Aspen leaves
Birch bark
Water lilies
Pondweed
Shrubs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Grey Wolf

Canis lupus

Main predator, often targeting calves or weak moose.

eaten by

Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Occasionally preys on moose calves during spring.

eats

White Willow

Salix alba

A primary food source, especially twigs and leaves.

eats

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Browses on bark and shoots, important winter food.

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Antlered

Antlered describes animals possessing antlers, which are bony, branching growths found predominantly on male deer and related species.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.