Scientific classification: The moose is a member of the deer family, Cervidae, and is classified as Alces alces.
Introduction
The Moose is a usual name for the largest member of the deer family. The name moose, given by the Algonquin, a native North American tribe, means “eater of twigs,” reflecting the animal’s primary diet of leaves and twigs. Moose are referred to as elk in Europe and Asia, how tall is a moose where they inhabit the forests of northern Asia and Europe from Siberia in the east to Norway in the west, the Baltic region, and northern China. In North America moose are found in wooded areas of Canada and the northern United States. The deer known in North America as elk is also called wapiti.
Physical Descrition of the moose
Moose are huge animals, with males, known as bulls, standing up to 2 m (6.5 ft) at the shoulder. Some bulls weigh more than 726 kg (1600 lb). Their characteristically long legs enable them to both browse on low bushes and small trees and wade in lakes and ponds to feed on aquatic plants. how tall is a moose, Once in the water, moose move easily and are powerful swimmers.
The head of the moose is large with an overhanging upper lip, or muzzle. A drooping growth of hair and skin, called a bell, hangs from the throat. The large, constantly moving ears of the moose act like radar, providing excellent hearing. A large shoulder hump is formed by the upward projections from neck vertebrae. Strong ligaments, which are necessary to hold the large head erect, are attached to these upward projections, how tall is a moose, The body color of the moose is generally brownish-black, with the face lightening to a brown color in the summer. The face of bulls darkens to a dark brown or black color as the breeding season approaches.
Habitat
Moose feeding habits vary with the seasons. During the fall, winter, and spring, they feed on the previous summer’s growth of aspen, black poplar, willow, birch, hazel, dogwood, and balsam fir. How tall is a moose, In late spring and early summer, moose lick natural salt deposits, found in salt springs or roadside runoff to replenish their mineral reserves used up over winter. In summer, moose prefer vegetation that grows in water, and they can submerge for up to 40 seconds to reach plants beneath the water’s surface.
Characteristics of the moose
Moose generally are solitary animals, although they may band in small groups of up to a dozen or more during the breeding season, especially in Canada’s Yukon territory and Alaska. Both females and males are capable of mating in their second year of life. During mating, bulls battle for the female moose, or cows, engaging in antler fights with other males. After mating, gestation is around 230 days, with most calves born near the end of May. How tall is a moose Cows usually bear one offspring, although twins are common and births of three or four calves have also been observed. Calves have reddish-brown coats and weigh 11 to 16 kg (24 to 35 lb) at birth.