The moose stands as the undisputed giant of the deer family, towering over the forests of the Northern Hemisphere. While they often look goofy with their drooping noses and spindly legs, these massive animals possess incredible strength and agility. They thrive in freezing temperatures that would kill other creatures, thanks to their specialized fur and massive size. Furthermore, they are surprisingly excellent swimmers who can hold their breath to reach food at the bottom of lakes. Consequently, nature designed them perfectly for life in the harsh taiga and tundra. Prepare to walk through the woods with the king of the north.
Moose
Killer whales actually hunt moose off the coast of Canada. When moose swim between islands in search of food, they often venture into deep waters. Consequently, orcas view them as easy prey and snatch them from the surface.
A moose can dive twenty feet underwater to eat plants. They love nutrient-rich aquatic vegetation growing on lake bottoms. Therefore, they hold their breath for up to a minute while grazing on the submerged greens.
Their antlers are the fastest-growing bone in the animal world. During the summer, these massive structures can grow up to an inch in a single day. Thus, a bull moose generates a full set of antlers in just a few months before shedding them in winter.
Uniquely, their hair is hollow inside. This structural adaptation traps air within each strand, providing incredible insulation against the cold. Additionally, the air-filled fur acts like a life jacket, helping the heavy animal float while swimming.
They injure more people in Alaska annually than bears do. Because they often wander into cities to eat garden plants, they encounter humans frequently. Unfortunately, people often underestimate their aggression, leading to dangerous charges when the animal feels threatened.
The word “moose” comes from an Algonquin term meaning “twig eater.” Indigenous peoples named the animal based on its diet of stripping bark and leaves from trees. Fittingly, they consume vast quantities of woody vegetation to maintain their massive body weight.
They suffer from heat stress at surprisingly low temperatures. Once the thermometer rises above 23 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, they begin to feel uncomfortably warm. Therefore, they spend hot summer days lying in ponds or seeking shade to cool their large bodies.
A flap of skin called a “dewlap” or “bell” hangs from their throat. Scientists still debate the exact function of this dangling piece of skin. However, many believe it might help waft the scent of the male toward females during mating season.
Newborn calves can outrun a human when they are only five days old. Although they look wobbly at birth, they gain strength with incredible speed. Thus, a mother moose can lead her baby away from predators less than a week after delivery.
Their nostrils possess specialized muscles that close underwater. This adaptation prevents water from rushing into their nose while they dive for food. Furthermore, their large nose helps them warm up cold air before it enters their lungs in winter.
They have terrible eyesight but amazing hearing and smell. Because their eyes sit on the sides of their heads, they have a blind spot directly in front of them. Consequently, they rely on their large ears, which can rotate independently, to pinpoint the location of threats.
A bull moose sheds his antlers every winter to save energy. Carrying up to sixty pounds of bone on your head requires significant calories. Therefore, dropping the antlers allows the animal to conserve energy for survival during the harsh, food-scarce months.
Their hooves act like built-in snowshoes. The toes spread wide apart to distribute their weight over soft snow and mud. This design allows them to walk over terrain where wolves and other predators would sink and get stuck.
Historically, the Swedish cavalry tried to ride moose into battle. King Charles XI experimented with replacing horses with moose because they could navigate deep snow. However, the animals panicked at the sound of gunfire and fled, ending the military experiment.
Finally, a moose can kick sideways with its hooves. Unlike horses, which typically kick backward, a moose can strike out in nearly any direction. This flexibility makes them formidable opponents for wolves attacking from the flank.
