Moose
The largest deer in the world, a long-legged giant you might see wading in ponds at Grand Teton, Isle Royale, Denali, or Rocky Mountain.
Moose at a glance
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- Type
- Mammal · deer
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Size
- A moose is huge. A grown bull stands taller at the shoulder than a grown-up (over 6 feet) and weighs about as much as a small car (close to 1,000 pounds). A big male's antlers can spread as wide as a doorway is tall.
- Lifespan
- Around 15 to 20 years in the wild.
- Conservation
- Least concern
Eats willow, aspen leaves, twigs, water plants, pond weeds
Moose are plant-eaters that browse leaves and twigs from willow and aspen and wade into ponds to eat water plants. In summer they will dunk their whole head underwater to reach the plants on the bottom.
Should you worry?
A moose looks slow and gentle, but it is one of the most dangerous animals to crowd. Mothers guard their calves, and males get grumpy in fall. If a moose puts its ears back, raises the hair on its neck, or licks its lips, it may charge. Give it lots of room, at least 25 yards, and if it comes at you, run and put a big tree or a car between you and it.
A moose is the kind of big that changes how a pond looks. It stands over six feet at the shoulder, taller than a grown-up before you even count the head, and weighs close to a thousand pounds, and a bull carries antlers that can span as wide as a doorway is tall. On Isle Royale it is the largest animal on the whole island, and you often find it up to its knees in water.
The water is the dining room. In summer a moose wades into a pond, dunks its entire head under, and pulls up the plants growing on the bottom, coming up dripping with a mouthful of weeds. The pond also keeps it cool and out of reach of the biting flies. Moose swim well enough to cross open lakes and move from one island to the next.
For all that size, a moose is an animal to give room, not to crowd. If one lays its ears back, raises the hair along its neck, or licks its lips, it is done being patient. Watch from a good distance, twenty-five yards at least, and if a moose comes toward you, the move is simple: run, and put a thick tree or a car between the two of you.
Did you know?
- The moose is the biggest deer on Earth. On Isle Royale a grown moose stands over six feet tall at the shoulder and weighs close to 1,000 pounds, the largest animal on the island.
- Moose are strong swimmers. They swim between islands, and in summer they wade into ponds and lakes to eat and to cool off and get away from biting bugs.
- Moose did not always live on Isle Royale. They first arrived in the early 1900s, and their numbers there have swung from about 500 to about 2,400 animals depending on food and how many wolves are around.
Common questions
How big is a moose?
Very big. A grown bull is taller at the shoulder than a grown-up and weighs about as much as a small car. It is the largest deer in the world.
Are moose dangerous?
They can be. Moose hurt more people than you might think, mostly when someone gets too close. Stay at least 25 yards away, and back off if it puts its ears down or raises its neck hair.
What do moose eat?
Leaves and twigs from willow and aspen, and lots of water plants. In summer they dunk their heads underwater to reach plants on the pond bottom.
Can moose swim?
Yes, they are good swimmers. They cross lakes and even swim between islands, and they cool off in the water on hot days.