Alaska Moose
Encyclopedia
The Alaska Moose is a subspecies of Moose
that ranges from Alaska
to western Yukon
. The Alaska Moose is the largest subspecies of moose. Alaska Moose inhabit boreal forests and mixed deciduous forests throughout most of Alaska and most of Western Yukon. Like all Moose species, the Alaska Moose is solitary and only comes into contact with other moose for mating or competition for mates. During mating season, in autumn and winter, male Alaska Moose become very aggressive and prone to attacking when startled.
, to most of the western Yukon, Canada. Due to its large range, humans frequently come into contact with the moose. Alaska Moose inhabit isolated forests, which helps the moose hide from predators such as wolves and hunters. There is a large population of about 225,000 individuals. To keep the population of Alaska Moose in balance, they are routinely hunted by humans every autumn and winter.
and birch
. Alaska Moose require a daily intake of 9770 calories (32 kg). They wil also lick salt off of the sides of roads, intended to melt snow and ice. Alaska Moose lack upper front teeth but have eight sharp incisors on their lower jaw. They also have a tough tongue, gums and lips to help chew woody vegetation.
as the largest deer of all time.
, deer
or bears. Bull moose often get their antlers locked during a fight, and both moose typically die from starvation
. Bull moose call out a subtle mating call to attract female moose and to warn other males. If a male moose loses to another male, he has to wait another year to mate. Alaska Moose mate every year during autumn and winter, and usually produce one or two offspring at a time. At around 10–11 months, yearling Alaska Moose leave their mothers and fend for themselves.
for food and sport every year during autumn and winter. People use both guns and bows to hunt moose, but they are very hard to bring down, even with a high powered rifle. The largest Alaska Moose was shot in western Yukon in September 1897; it weighed 820 kg (1,800 lbs), and was 233 cm (92 in) tall at the shoulder.
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
that ranges from Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
to western Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
. The Alaska Moose is the largest subspecies of moose. Alaska Moose inhabit boreal forests and mixed deciduous forests throughout most of Alaska and most of Western Yukon. Like all Moose species, the Alaska Moose is solitary and only comes into contact with other moose for mating or competition for mates. During mating season, in autumn and winter, male Alaska Moose become very aggressive and prone to attacking when startled.
Habitat, range, and distribution
The Alaska Moose ranges throughout AlaskaAlaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, to most of the western Yukon, Canada. Due to its large range, humans frequently come into contact with the moose. Alaska Moose inhabit isolated forests, which helps the moose hide from predators such as wolves and hunters. There is a large population of about 225,000 individuals. To keep the population of Alaska Moose in balance, they are routinely hunted by humans every autumn and winter.
Diet
Alaska Moose have a similar diet to other moose subspecies, consisting of terrestrial vegetation forbs and shoots from trees such as willowWillow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
and birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
. Alaska Moose require a daily intake of 9770 calories (32 kg). They wil also lick salt off of the sides of roads, intended to melt snow and ice. Alaska Moose lack upper front teeth but have eight sharp incisors on their lower jaw. They also have a tough tongue, gums and lips to help chew woody vegetation.
Size and weight
Male Alaska Moose can stand over 2.1 m (7 ft) at the shoulder, and weigh 634.5 kg (1,396 lbs). The antlers on average have a span of 1.8 m (6 ft). Female Alaska Moose stand on average 1.8 m (6–7 ft) at the shoulder and weigh 478 kg (1,052 lbs). The Alaska Moose matches the extinct Irish ElkIrish Elk
The Irish Elk or Giant Deer , was a species of Megaloceros and one of the largest deer that ever lived. Its range extended across Eurasia, from Ireland to east of Lake Baikal, during the Late Pleistocene. The latest known remains of the species have been carbon dated to about 7,700 years ago...
as the largest deer of all time.
Social structure and reproduction
Alaska Moose have no social bonds with each other and only come into contact with each other to mate, or for two bull moose to fight over mating rights. Although a bull moose is not usually aggressive towards humans, during mating season it may attack any creature it comes into contact with, including humans, wolves, elkElk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
or bears. Bull moose often get their antlers locked during a fight, and both moose typically die from starvation
Starvation
Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy, nutrient and vitamin intake. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, death...
. Bull moose call out a subtle mating call to attract female moose and to warn other males. If a male moose loses to another male, he has to wait another year to mate. Alaska Moose mate every year during autumn and winter, and usually produce one or two offspring at a time. At around 10–11 months, yearling Alaska Moose leave their mothers and fend for themselves.
Hunting
Alaska Moose are huntedHunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
for food and sport every year during autumn and winter. People use both guns and bows to hunt moose, but they are very hard to bring down, even with a high powered rifle. The largest Alaska Moose was shot in western Yukon in September 1897; it weighed 820 kg (1,800 lbs), and was 233 cm (92 in) tall at the shoulder.