Moose

Alces alces

The moose is a large deer of northern forests and freshwater habitats. Mostly crepuscular and solitary, it moves along wetlands and forest edges.

Key facts

Moose (Alces alces) is a herbivore animal classified as Mammal · Cetartiodactyla · Cervidae.
Primary habitats are forest · freshwater, with a range across Nearctic · Palearctic.
Activity is crepuscular, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The moose is a large deer of northern forests and freshwater habitats.
It uses conifer forest, wetlands, lakeshores, and riverine woods.
Typical lifespan: 10-20 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses conifer forest, wetlands, lakeshores, and riverine woods. Summer shallows with aquatic plants and winter browse forests are important.

Body length is about 240-320 cm and weight about 200-700 kg. Long legs, a drooping muzzle, and the male's broad palmate antlers are distinctive.

It is most active around dawn and dusk and is usually solitary. It swims well and often uses water during warmer periods.

It is herbivorous, eating buds, twigs, leaves, and aquatic plants. Its height lets it reach branches and browse above many other grazers.

During the rut, males display antlers and body size while competing. Calves follow the mother and grow under her protection.

Its status is listed as Least Concern. In some regions, climate change, parasites, and road collisions create local pressures.