Facts about Moose
- 10
Moose eyesight is relatively poor compared to their other senses, but they possess a reflective layer behind the retina that enhances night vision in the low-light conditions of northern forests.
- 09
Ungulates across North America face increased predation because moose vocalizations can travel up to 2 miles through boreal forests, attracting wolves and bears to calving areas during spring.
- 08
Cow moose give birth to twins in roughly 80 percent of pregnancies after their first calf, maximizing reproductive success in northern ecosystems.
- 07
Moose calves weigh approximately 30 pounds at birth and can run alongside their mothers within days, reaching 600 pounds by their first birthday.
- 06
In Alaska and Canada, moose populations have declined by up to 60 percent since the 1990s due to climate change extending tick seasons that can infest a single animal with 100,000 parasites.
- 05
The moose's specialized upper lip, called a prehensile muzzle, allows it to grasp and strip leaves and twigs from branches with remarkable dexterity while foraging.
- 04
A moose's long legs, standing 4.5 to 6.5 feet tall, allow it to wade through deep snow and water that would immobilize shorter ungulates.
- 03
During winter months, moose can survive on just 20 pounds of woody vegetation daily by extracting maximum nutrition from low-quality browse in boreal forests.
- 02
Swimming speeds of up to 6 miles per hour allow moose to dive 20 feet underwater to feed on aquatic plants in lakes and rivers.
- 01
Adult male moose can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and grow antlers spanning 6 feet wide that they shed annually in winter.