Moose

Alces alces

ben adams

Classification

Physical Description

The moose is the largest member of the deer family and the largest mammal in North America. It stands six feet tall from shoulders to feet. Females weigh between 800 to 1,300 pounds and males weigh 1,200 to 1,600 pounds. The moose has long, thick, light brown to dark brown fur. Moose hair is hollow, which helps keep the moose warm. The moose has long legs.

Diet and Feeding Habits

The moose is an algonquin the term for twig eater. The moose also 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 twigs and bark of a willow, balsam , birch, aspen, and dogwood trees.

Reproduction

Females attract males with there long, moaning vocalizations, which can be heard up to 3.2 km away. they also emit a powerful scent. Rival males compete for access to females during the breeding season. males may simply asses which is larger , and the smaller bull retreats, or they may engage in battles that can become violent.

Habitat

The moose lives in forested areas where there snow cover in the winter and nearby lakes, blogs, swamps, streams and ponds. The moose’s large size makes survival in warm climates difficult and they have difficulty when tempetures above 80.

Role in the Ecosystem

herbivore
prey

Bibliography

http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/moose.htm
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Alces_alces.html
http://www.maine.gov