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The moose, or
A. alces as known by the scientific name,
is the largest member of the deer family
in the world. In North America it is found
in wooded areas of Canada and the northern
United States. Maximum size of a
bull may stand more than 6 ft high at the
shoulder and weigh more than 1400 lbs. The
males bear enormous, broad, flattened
antlers with prongs, or tines which can
can attain a spread of 5 ft. or more. The
antlers are shed each year after the
mating season. The body color of the
moose varies from almost black to light
brown, becoming greyish in winter. The
legs are lighter in color than the body.
The protruding muzzle and the long legs
enable the animal to browse on brush and
to wade into lakes and ponds to feed on
aquatic plants. The shoulders of the moose
are higher than the hindquarters, giving
it a humpbacked appearance that is
accentuated by the short neck. In order to
reach low-growing plants or to drink from
a shallow pool, the moose is forced to
kneel. It is an excellent swimmer. Moose
generally are solitary, although they may
form into small bands in winter and
trample down the snow where good cover
exists, making a moose yard where the
animals stay while the food lasts. During
the mating season, bulls battle for the
cows, and their roars may be heard for
great distances. After a gestation of
eight months, one to three calves are
born; they stay with the mother for two
years. |
