They are the largest among the deer family

Moose are the largest and heaviest extant species in the deer family. From the towering Alaskan moose of the North American wilderness to the more modestly-sized European moose, the eight moose sub-species illustrate these intriguing creatures' adaptability and ecological variety. They belong to the Cervidae family, including other members such as elk, caribou, and white-tailed deer. 

With adult males weighing between 900 and 1,400 pounds, moose tower above their deer relatives. On the other hand, female moose weigh an average of 800 to 1,300 pounds. These majestic animals can also stand up to 6.5 feet tall at the shoulder. 

Moose are not only known for their size but also their distinctive physical characteristics. They have elongated faces and an overhanging muzzle that extends beyond their upper lip. Furthermore, moose have relatively large and mobile ears that can rotate independently.

Adult male and female moose have a flap of skin, known as a bell or dewlap, hanging beneath their chin. The size of the bell increases with age and is more pronounced in dominant males. It serves as an additional visual display during the fall mating season and helps intimidate rival males.

They go by different names

The scientific name of the moose is Alces alces. However, other countries don't call them "moose." In British English, these majestic animals are more commonly called "elk." The largest moose population is in Canada, whose residents call them rubber-nosed swamp donkeys.

The term "elk" comes from the Old Norse word "elgr," which various European languages later adopted to refer to this animal. When European settlers arrived in North America, they met the indigenous Algonquin people who called the animal "moose" or "smoosh," which means twig-eater or stripper and eater of bark. 

This naming inconsistency has caused some confusion. In North American English, "elk" refers to a completely different species of deer, scientifically known as Cervus Canadensis. North American elk, also called wapiti, share a few similarities with moose, such as antlers and herbivorous diet. However, they are smaller in size and have a distinct appearance.

They have enormous antlers

Male moose, called bulls, start to grow antlers during spring. These distinctive broad palmate antlers can span up to 6 feet in width and weigh as much as 40 pounds. Palmate antlers have a flat, palm-like structure with tines or points, which is uncommon for other deer family members with twig-like structured antlers.  

Interestingly, only bulls grow antlers, each with a unique pattern. All male moose grow and lose their antlers. Moose shed their antlers between mid-November and March.

Furthermore, the shed antlers play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Smaller mammals like squirrels, mice, and porcupines rely on fallen moose antlers to extract vital nutrients for bone strength, health, and reproduction. 

Birds, including woodpeckers and grouse, also benefit from consuming the antler fragments. Meanwhile, decomposition enriches the soil, fostering plant growth and supporting a more sustainable ecosystem.

They live in cold climates across the globe

Moose live in boreal forests, temperate broadleaf, and mixed forests across North America, Europe, and Asia. These regions have dense stands of coniferous trees and water bodies, like rivers and lakes. These habitats provide moose with abundant vegetation and diverse food sources.

In the Northeastern United States, you can spot them in the sprawling wilds of Alaska and Canada. Similarly, moose habitats stretch across the Atlantic, from Scandinavian countries to Russia, and even reach the remote areas of northeastern China.

One of the critical factors of moose habitat preference is their close association with water sources. These magnificent animals rely on the plants found in lakes, rivers, and swamps.

They are skilled swimmers and divers

Considering their size, this reindeer fact is shocking! With their long legs and large hooves, they effortlessly navigate deep waters and can swim at impressive speeds of up to 6 miles per hour.

These aquatic adventures serve a critical purpose. Moose frequently dive underwater, sometimes as deep as 20 feet and as long as a minute, to reach their favorite aquatic vegetation.

Male moose engage in intense battles during mating season

During their rut, males put their huge antlers to work as formidable weapons and impressive displays to attract potential mates. 

Male moose or bull moose engage in intense battles, locking their antlers together and shoving each other with incredible force as they vie for the right to mate with female moose, called cows. However, brute strength is only an example of their strategies in their quest for the attention of a cow moose. Scent and sound also play essential roles during the mating season.

They also display behavioral patterns similar to other cervids, including courtship croaking, tongue flicking, and genital smelling. However, both sexes show little apparent post-copulation behavior. The research also found that moose cows only mate with one male except for a few cases where a female had two male partners2.

Moose populations are stable but still face threats

Moose are not currently considered endangered, yet their survival faces several threats. Habitat degradation, food competition, illegal hunting, and predation continue to impact their habitat and population. Adding to these challenges, the ongoing climate crisis has presented significant risks for moose1.

With rising temperatures, moose face heat stress, weight loss, and tick infestations that can result in anemia. Diseases such as brain worm and chronic wasting disease also pose severe dangers to their communities. Cooperation among government agencies, NGOs, and Indigenous communities is crucial to tackling these threats.

Organizations like The Nature Conservancy work hard to preserve and improve moose habitats. Collaborative efforts are vital in protecting these majestic creatures in a changing climate. As moose's challenges continue to grow, prioritizing conservation efforts that promote their long-term survival is more important than ever.