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The moose is the largest member of the deer family. Moose are found on the rocky, wooded hillsides of the western mountain ranges; along the margins of half a million lakes, muskegs, and streams of the great boreal forest; and even on the northern tundra and in the aspen parkland of the Prairie Provinces.
Moose have long, slim legs that end in cloven hooves. The shoulders seem humped
because of the large muscles needed for the huge antlers. From the throat, there
hangs a fur-covered skin , which is called a bell.
A cow moose usually gives birth to a single calf, but
occasionally, she has twins. She keeps the baby in seclusion for a couple of
days hidden in a thicket until it is strong and stable enough to run. It only
takes a few days until a calf can outrun a human. The calf stays with the mother
until the following spring, when she has a new baby.
The antlers begin growing in spring and during the period of growth are soft and spongy, with blood vessels running through them. They are covered with a velvety skin. By late August or early September the antlers are fully developed and are hard and bony. The velvet dries and the bulls rub it off against tree trunks. Mature animals usually shed their antlers in November, but some younger bulls may carry theirs through the winter until April. Yearling bulls usually have spike antlers, and the antlers of twoyearolds are larger, usually flat at the ends.
The eyesight of the moose is extremely poor, but its senses of smell and hearing
are very good.
The moose lives almost solely on twigs and shrubs during the winter months. In summer this diet is varied with leaves, some upland plants, and water plants in great quantity where available.
The long legs of the moose enable it to run over deadfall trees or through snow that would stop a deer or wolf. Its cloven hooves and dew claws spread widely to provide support when it wades through soft muskeg or snow. With its tremendous physical power and vitality, the moose can travel over almost any terrain.
Moose stand cold very well but suffer from heat. In summer, especially when the fly season is in progress, moose often cool off in water for several hours each day. They also dip their heads under the surface to feed on water lilies and other water plants.
Moose are quite at home in the water. They sometimes dive 5.5 m or more for plants growing on a lake or pond bottom. Moose have been known to swim 19 km. A moose calf is able to follow its mother on a long swim even while very young, occasionally resting its muzzle on the cow's back for support.
Black and grizzly bears have been known to prey heavily on moose calves during the first few weeks of life while grizzly bears easily kill adult moose.
Wolves also kill many calves and take adult moose all year.
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