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 Bulls (males)
average a weight of 500
kilograms, however may weigh as
much as 700 to 750 kilograms.
Cows (females) are lighter in
weight. Both sexes stand about 2
meters at the shoulder. The body
is bulky with a short, stubby
tail and a disproportionately
large head.
 The long, square
muzzle ends with an overhanging
upper lip. Moose of both sexes
have a "bell" that hangs under
the throat. This is a flap of
skin covered with hair that
grows as long as 25 cm on males.
The bell is used in
communication, both visual and
olfactory. The large surface of
the bell in bull moose transfers
scents to the cows during their
"chinning" behavior. The size
and shape of the bell on bulls
may be a secondary indicator of
sex, relative to age and rank,
especially during the antler
less period.
Moose have long legs which are
suited for plowing through deep
snow, walking over bushes and
logs, and wading through muskeg.
Their normal gait is a walk, but
they occasionally trot in a
stiff-legged manner. They seldom
gallop unless frightened. With
this peculiar rocking motion,
they can attain a speed of 55
kilometers per hour.
Thick hides and warm coats
insulate the moose against the
winter cold. A difference of as
much as 20°C may be registered
between the air temperature and
the hide of the moose. A fine
undercoat of grey wool, and
coarse, scaly guard hairs helps
to retain heat.
 The coat is
about 10 centimeters long on the
body, but may grow to 20
centimeters on the neck and
shoulders. In spring, the old,
faded coat is shed and replaced
with a short, dark brown coat.
In late summer, the guard hairs
grow longer and produce a rich,
reddish, brown-black coat. The
under hair thickens in September
to provide additional warmth for
the coming winter months.
Moose are well-known for their
distinctive palmate antlers.
Only bulls grow them and the
rack is in its prime when the
animal is about six years of
age. During the first year a
moose may grow short stubs and
yearlings may develop one or two
forks. As the moose ages, a
characteristic shovel shape
develops, and the antlers form
points on both sides.
Antlers begin growing in April
and reach their maximum size in
August or September. They are
covered with skin and hair, or
"velvet". In late August, the
blood supply to the velvet is
cut off and it starts to shed,
aided by the moose rubbing the
antlers against trees.
Continuous scraping of the
antlers signifies the start of
the breeding season. After about
a week, the velvet is completely
shed and the white antlers begin
to stain brown. Older bulls lose
their antlers in December,
following the rut, while the
younger males may keep theirs as
late as February.
Moose Photos provided by
Don
Steinberger
Other photos are © by
ArtToday, and are used here
with permission |
