THE MOOSETHE MOOSEthe largest member the largest member of the deer familyof the deer family

By: Nichole MorrisonBy: Nichole Morrison

Where the moose lives Where the moose lives

Moose live in all parts of Moose live in all parts of Canada and in Alaska in Canada and in Alaska in forests and marshy areas. forests and marshy areas. During warmer months During warmer months the moose is found near the moose is found near lakes and marshes. When lakes and marshes. When winter comes the moose winter comes the moose moves to forested areas. moves to forested areas.

What does the moose look like?What does the moose look like?

The moose is an animal The moose is an animal with:with:

extremelyextremely long legs long legs big hoovesbig hooves a humpback and a very a humpback and a very

short tail. short tail. It has large ears, It has large ears, a wide droopy nose and an a wide droopy nose and an

overhanging top lip. overhanging top lip. A long flap of fur-covered A long flap of fur-covered

skin (called a bell) dangles skin (called a bell) dangles under the chin.under the chin.

Physical FeaturesPhysical Features

Adult have a dark brown coat. The young Adult have a dark brown coat. The young are a reddish brown. The males are taller are a reddish brown. The males are taller and heavier than the females. The moose and heavier than the females. The moose can grow to be over 3 metres (8 to 10 ft.) in can grow to be over 3 metres (8 to 10 ft.) in length and a shoulder height of over 2 length and a shoulder height of over 2 metres (5 to 7 ft.). Males can weigh 600 kg. metres (5 to 7 ft.). Males can weigh 600 kg. (over 1200 pounds). Because moose are such (over 1200 pounds). Because moose are such large animals they have to eat a tone of food large animals they have to eat a tone of food every day.every day.

Appearance ContinuesAppearance Continues

Males have large wide Males have large wide antlers. A rack of antlers antlers. A rack of antlers can range from 120 to 150 can range from 120 to 150 cm. across (4 to 5 ft.). The cm. across (4 to 5 ft.). The Alaskan moose have the Alaskan moose have the largest antlers - more than largest antlers - more than 2 metres (6 ft.) wide. 2 metres (6 ft.) wide.

Each of its feet has two Each of its feet has two large hoofed toes and two large hoofed toes and two smaller toes. smaller toes.

What do moose’s eat?What do moose’s eat?

Moose eat water plants that grow in lakes Moose eat water plants that grow in lakes and marshes. and marshes.

Moose eat water lilies and weeds.Moose eat water lilies and weeds. Moose eat roots and stems of underwater Moose eat roots and stems of underwater

plants. plants. Moose eat branches and leaves of trees Moose eat branches and leaves of trees

(willow, birch, aspen trees). (willow, birch, aspen trees). Moose eat berries and grass.Moose eat berries and grass.

Who are the moose’s enemies?Who are the moose’s enemies?

Humans hunt the moose. Humans hunt the moose. Wolves Wolves BearsBears Wolves attack moose in the winter because Wolves attack moose in the winter because

its hard for the moose to get out of deep its hard for the moose to get out of deep snow.snow.

How do moose protect themselves?How do moose protect themselves?

Moose can move really fast Moose can move really fast They are good swimmers They are good swimmers moose grow a thicker coat for winter to stay warm.moose grow a thicker coat for winter to stay warm. Males use the big strong antlers for protection and Males use the big strong antlers for protection and

for fighting other animalsfor fighting other animals.. Females will fight to protect there families with there Females will fight to protect there families with there

sharp hooves.sharp hooves. The moose has excellent hearing and sense of smell. The moose has excellent hearing and sense of smell.

They take there time and stop to listen to there They take there time and stop to listen to there surroundings. surroundings.

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

In September and October the bulls use In September and October the bulls use their antlers to fight each other to win their antlers to fight each other to win females. Then in late fall the bulls' antlers females. Then in late fall the bulls' antlers fall off and new ones grow.fall off and new ones grow.

Moose make a strange whistle-like call and Moose make a strange whistle-like call and grunting noises.grunting noises.

Moose often live aloneMoose often live alone The best time to see a moose is at dawn and The best time to see a moose is at dawn and

dusk.dusk.

More informationMore information

http://www.canadianfauna.com/moose.php

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/deer/Mooseprintout.shtml

http://www.hww.cahttp://www.hww.ca