Moose

Alces

Description:

Moose are large antlered mammals, that can be colored anywhere from brown to black to almost grey. Males are typically dominant in size and weight (Males can be up to 2.1 m in height and 700kg in weight) while females are usually as high as the males, but much lighter in weight. ( Usualy only 200-360kg) Moose share their enviornment with one of their few natural enemies, wolves. These are especially dangerous to the calves and females, as the wolves will attack in packs. Moose share a symbiotic realtionship, in this case parasitism, with some deciduous trees. It strips the bark from these trees in winter, when other food is scarce. Moose have very specialized snouts, with tough lips and gums, ideal for consuming woody vegetation. Moose also have 12 sets of molars to grind their vegeterian diet for digestion. This species is a mammal, which engages in sexual reproduction during mating season, in this time they will locate a female and stay with them for the duration of the mating season. (This is one of the rare occasions when moose can be found in small groups) Mating season occurs in the months of September and October.

Habitat:

Moose usually dwell in forested areas in North America, commonly near a lake, pond or river, because of the availability of food in those areas. Moose typically eat various forms of vegetation, including aquatic vegetation that can be found in the shallow portions of bodies of water. A fully grown moose does not have many natural enemies, although a pack of wolves as well as the brown bear have been known to prey on moose, especially cows(Feamles) or calves.