Did You Know? |
  Moose comes from the from the Eastern Abenaki "moos" which means "strips bark from trees."
In his 1616 Description of New England, Captain John Smith wrote that that he saw "Moos, a beast bigger then a Stagge."
In Europe the moose is known as the European elk! |
Habitat
The moose lives in forested areas where there is snow cover in the winter and nearby
lakes,
bogs,
swamps,
streams. and
ponds. The moose's large size makes survival in warm climates difficult and it has difficulty when temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, the moose cools off in the water.
Diet
The moose is a browser. In warm months, it eats the leaves, twigs, and buds of hardwood and softwood trees and shrubs. It also feeds on aquatic plants like water lilies. In the winter, the moose browses on woody plants like the twigs and bark of willow, balsam, birch, aspen, and dogwood trees.
Lifecycle
Moose mate in early fall. During mating season, females attract males with their deep calls and strong scent. Bull moose use their antlers in threat displays when they are fighting over females. Sometimes they get into a pushing fight with their antlers. These fights rarely get too serious because the antlers could catch together and both moose could die. When mating season is over, the moose's antlers fall off. Mice and other rodents gnaw on the antlers because they are a good source of calcium.
The female gives birth during the spring or summer. She usually has one baby. Moose calves can stand up within a day and they can swim within a couple of weeks.
Calves are weaned after about six months and stay with their mother until the next young are born. Mothers are very protective of their calves and charge people if they get too close. Bull moose may also charge people and even cars during mating season. Moose can run as fast as 35 mph, so it's a good idea to stay out of their way!
Behavior
The moose is active in the day, especially at dawn and dusk. It has very poor eyesight but good hearing and an excellent sense of smell. It is a very good swimmer and can swim as fast as six miles an hour in the water. The moose is usually a peaceful animal but can become aggressive when it is threatened. It is never a good idea to approach a moose. Moose are very territorial and if they think you are a threat, they will charge you. Moose are faster then humans, so you can't outrun one!
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The moose is found in northern North America, and northern Europe and Asia. In North America it is found in Alaska, Canada, the northeastern United States and as far south as the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.)
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