A bull moose stands among sagebrush with golden aspen leaves in the background.

Moose

Alces Alces

Moose are large animals with massive antlers, thick fur, and long legs, adapted for life in cold environments.

Moose are the largest animals in the deer family. Males, or bull moose, are known for their big antlers. They are well-suited to cold environments, with thick fur and long legs that help them move through deep snow and swim well.

 

Moose have a gestation period of around 8 months, and usually give birth to one or occasionally two calves in the spring. The calves grow quickly and learn to find food within a few weeks, which is important for their survival in the harsh winters.

Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Artiodactyla
Family:
Cervidae
Subfamily:
Capreolinae
Genus:
Alces
Species:
Alces

Moose Overview

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Native or nonnative?

Native

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Wyoming classification

Big game

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Closest relative

Elk

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Scat

about 1–2 inches in diameter and is larger than deer or antelope scat. Moose scat is usually oval-shaped

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Diet

Herbivore

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Top Speed

35 mph

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Terminology

Males are bulls, females are cows, young are called calf/calves and a group of moose is called a herd

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Population Status

Species of least concern

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Lifespan

Typically 15 to 25 years in the wild

Moose fun facts

  • Bull moose lose their antlers every year and grow new ones come spring. While growing, these antlers are wrapped in a soft layer called velvet, which supplies them with blood to grow. Antlers signify strength and moose use them to attract partners and mark their territory.
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  • Moose are excellent swimmers, capable of reaching speeds up to six miles per hour. They can dive 20 feet deep and hold their breath for about 30 seconds. Their hollow fur helps keep them buoyant in the water, which aids in swimming and feeding.
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  • Moose have large blind spots due to their eyes being positioned on either side of their head. They make up for this with exceptional hearing and sense of smell.
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Moose Sounds

Moose use a wide array of vocalizations for communication, such as: 

  • During the mating season, bull moose are known to emit bellows, roars, and grunts, with their grunts being audible up to 500 meters away.
  • Female moose express their readiness for mating by emitting long, protracted moans, occasionally ending with a cough-like sound.
  • To call their offspring, cow moose produce grunting sounds.
  • A distinctive high-pitched sound, reminiscent of a creaky door hinge combined with the viscosity of molasses, is made by moose of all ages.
  • Young bull moose are often heard whining and whimpering.
moose near water

Moose Habitat

Moose are known to inhabit northern forests and are particularly fond of areas where the forest meets open land and regions that have experienced recent fires, enriching the growth of shrubs like willow, aspen, and birch. These large animals engage in seasonal migrations, moving between their breeding, mating, and winter habitats. The distances they travel during these migrations can vary widely, ranging from a few miles to as much as 60 miles.