The moose ( Alces alces ) is the largest member of the deer family and is striking in appearance due to its large size, black color, long legs, and the wide, flat antlers of mature males. In North America, the name moose is common, but in Europe, they are referred to as elk. Moose are herbivores, and they consume large quantities of woody twigs and buds. They can alter forest composition because they don't eat as many conifers as broad-leaved trees. They are found in northern North America and Eurasia. The largest moose can weigh up to 600 kg and stand 2 meters tall. Moose are bold and defend themselves against predators such as bears and wolves.

Moose, the largest members of the deer family, reside in the northern regions of both North America and Eurasia. In North America, there are four recognized subspecies: the eastern moose in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States; the northwestern moose in central Canada and the northern parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Michigan; the Shiras moose in the Rocky Mountains; and the Alaskan moose in Alaska and northwestern Canada. In Europe, moose are referred to as elk. Some classifications recognize Eurasian subspecies such as the European moose, the Siberian moose, the West Siberian moose, and the East Siberian moose. Moose thrive in plant communities of deciduous shrubs in areas disturbed by flooding, forest fires, or avalanches. They also frequent mineral licks and, during winter, may consume conifers. In summer, they consume aquatic vegetation, diving and staying underwater for up to 50 seconds while feeding.

Moose are herbivores that primarily consume plant matter. During the summer, they eat willows and broad-leaved trees, and they also wade into lakes and ponds to feed on aquatic plants. Throughout the winter, moose eat large quantities of woody twigs and buds. They also visit mineral licks and, in winter, may consume conifers like fir and yew. Moose exploit plant communities of deciduous shrubs in areas disturbed by flooding, avalanches, or forest fires. Moose depend on high-quality feeding areas in the shrub zone along river floodplains and on the early successional growth of woody plants in burned or cutover forests.

How can you identify a moose from other animals?

Moose, the largest members of the deer family, are identifiable by a combination of features. Their size is striking, with a height of up to 7 feet at the shoulder and a weight of up to 1,300 pounds. Moose have a black color, long legs, and a pendulous muzzle. A dangling, hairy dewlap, referred to as a bell, is also a distinguishing characteristic. Male moose have immense, wide, flat antlers, which they shed and regrow yearly. These antlers are solid bone and, during growth, are covered by skin that has a velvety appearance.

How do moose survive cold climates?

Moose survive in cold climates through several adaptations. They are the largest browsing animals in the taiga, consuming large quantities of woody twigs and buds during the winter. In deep snow, moose create "moose yards," a system of trails, to navigate their environment. When threatened by predators like wolves in deep snow, they seek hard, level ground or back into dense conifers for protection, using their front legs and hind legs to defend themselves. Some animals that live in snowy environments turn white in winter. Scientists believe that pale coats may have better insulating properties because melanin, the substance responsible for colored hair, is absent from white fur, leaving air spaces in the hair shaft.

What are some challenges moose face in the wild?

Moose face several challenges in the wild. They are preyed upon by large carnivores such as wolves and bears , especially during calving season when mothers must defend their young. Deep snow can hinder their ability to escape predators, forcing them to seek refuge in dense conifer forests. Additionally, moose populations can decline due to severe exploitation and uncontrolled hunting, although they respond well to protection and management efforts.

moose

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Images & Videos

Adult male moose with large antlers stands in shallow water while foraging at Sandy Stream Pond in Baxter State Park, Maine.

Two moose (Alces alces) walking through a snowy, partially frozen river surrounded by bare trees and snow-covered branches.

Life cycle of the European moose in Northern Russia

Moose vs. bear: Survival in Russia's harsh winter

A moose (Alces alces) stands among leafless willow branches, browsing on twigs in a snowy, forested area.

A single moose (Alces alces) stands in a shallow river with a dense forest and fallen trees visible along the riverbank in the background.

At a Glance

moose summary

Quick Facts

Related Topics:: eastern moose; Alaskan moose; Siberian moose; east Siberian moose; northwestern moose

On the Web:: State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry - Moose (Nov. 07, 2026)

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moose

mammal

Also known as: Alces alces, Alces americana, Eurasian elk

Written by

Valerius Geist

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 7, 2026 •History

Top Questions

What is a moose?
The moose (Alces alces) is the largest member of the deer family and is striking in appearance due to its large size, black color, long legs, and the wide, flat antlers of mature males. In North America, the name moose is common, but in Europe, they are referred to as elk.

Moose are herbivores, and they consume large quantities of woody twigs and buds. They can alter forest composition because they don't eat as many conifers as broad-leaved trees.

They are found in northern North America and Eurasia. The largest moose can weigh up to 600 kg and stand 2 meters tall. Moose are bold and defend themselves against predators such as bears and wolves.
2 Britannica Sources
1. taiga: Mammals
2. moose
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where do moose live?
Moose, the largest members of the deer family, reside in the northern regions of both North America and Eurasia.

In North America, there are four recognized subspecies: the eastern moose in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States; the northwestern moose in central Canada and the northern parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Michigan; the Shiras moose in the Rocky Mountains; and the Alaskan moose in Alaska and northwestern Canada.

In Europe, moose are referred to as elk. Some classifications recognize Eurasian subspecies such as the European moose, the Siberian moose, the West Siberian moose, and the East Siberian moose.

Moose thrive in plant communities of deciduous shrubs in areas disturbed by flooding, forest fires, or avalanches. They also frequent mineral licks and, during winter, may consume conifers. In summer, they consume aquatic vegetation, diving and staying underwater for up to 50 seconds while feeding.
2 Britannica Sources
1. taiga: Mammals
2. moose
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What do moose eat?
Moose are herbivores that primarily consume plant matter. During the summer, they eat willows and broad-leaved trees, and they also wade into lakes and ponds to feed on aquatic plants. Throughout the winter, moose eat large quantities of woody twigs and buds. They also visit mineral licks and, in winter, may consume conifers like fir and yew. Moose exploit plant communities of deciduous shrubs in areas disturbed by flooding, avalanches, or forest fires.

Moose depend on high-quality feeding areas in the shrub zone along river floodplains and on the early successional growth of woody plants in burned or cutover forests.
2 Britannica Sources
1. taiga: Mammals
2. moose
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How can you identify a moose from other animals?
Moose, the largest members of the deer family, are identifiable by a combination of features. Their size is striking, with a height of up to 7 feet at the shoulder and a weight of up to 1,300 pounds. Moose have a black color, long legs, and a pendulous muzzle. A dangling, hairy dewlap, referred to as a bell, is also a distinguishing characteristic. Male moose have immense, wide, flat antlers, which they shed and regrow yearly. These antlers are solid bone and, during growth, are covered by skin that has a velvety appearance.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How do moose survive cold climates?
Moose survive in cold climates through several adaptations. They are the largest browsing animals in the taiga, consuming large quantities of woody twigs and buds during the winter. In deep snow, moose create "moose yards," a system of trails, to navigate their environment. When threatened by predators like wolves in deep snow, they seek hard, level ground or back into dense conifers for protection, using their front legs and hind legs to defend themselves.

Some animals that live in snowy environments turn white in winter. Scientists believe that pale coats may have better insulating properties because melanin, the substance responsible for colored hair, is absent from white fur, leaving air spaces in the hair shaft.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some challenges moose face in the wild?
Moose face several challenges in the wild. They are preyed upon by large carnivores such as wolves and bears, especially during calving season when mothers must defend their young. Deep snow can hinder their ability to escape predators, forcing them to seek refuge in dense conifer forests. Additionally, moose populations can decline due to severe exploitation and uncontrolled hunting, although they respond well to protection and management efforts.
1 Britannica Source
1. moose
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

moose, (Alces alces), largest member of the deer family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla). Moose are striking in appearance because of their towering size, black colour, long legs, pendulous muzzle, and dangling hairy dewlap (called a bell) and the immense, wide, flat antlers of old bulls. The name moose is common in North America; it is derived from the word moosh (“stripper and eater of bark”) in the Algonquian language of the Innu people of Quebec, Canada. In Europe moose are called elk.

Moose inhabit the northern parts of North America and Eurasia. In North America four subspecies are recognized, including the eastern moose (Alces alces americana), which inhabits eastern Canada and the northeastern United States; the northwestern moose (A. alces andersoni), which inhabits central Canada and North Dakota, Minnesota, and northern Michigan; the Shiras moose (A. alces shirasi), which inhabits the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada; and the Alaskan moose (A. alces gigas), which inhabits Alaska and northwestern Canada. Although not widely accepted, some classifications also recognize several Eurasian subspecies, including the European moose (A. alces alces); the Siberian, or Yakut, moose (A. alces pfizenmayeri); the west Siberian, or Ussuri, moose (A. alces cameloides); and the east Siberian, or Kolyma, moose (A. alces buturlini). In addition to differences in geographical distribution, the different subspecies of moose are further distinguished by features such as size, pelage, and antler characteristics. The differences in regional body sizes appears to reflect adaptation to local conditions. The largest moose specimens are found in Alaska and eastern Siberia; there bulls weigh 600 kg (1,300 pounds) and stand 2 metres (7 feet) tall at the shoulder. The smallest moose are found in its southernmost populations in Wyoming and Manchuria, where large bulls weigh 300–350 kg (660–770 pounds).

Moose primarily exploit plant communities of deciduous shrubs that have been disturbed by flooding, avalanches, or forest fires. They are avid visitors to mineral licks. In winter they may also avidly consume conifers such as fir and yew. In areas of very deep snow, moose may tramp a system of trails called a “moose yard.” In summer they may also consume large amounts of aquatic vegetation. The large, mobile, sensitive muzzle appears to be a specialized feeding organ that allows moose to exploit the large stocks of submerged aquatic vegetation in shallow lakes and streams. Moose may dive and stay up to 50 seconds underwater while feeding. Even calves are excellent swimmers.

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Moose are bold and readily defend themselves against large carnivores. During calving season, moose cows face grizzly and black bears. In late winter when the snow is deep and moose cannot flee, they defend themselves against wolf packs. They choose hard, level ground with little snow for maneuverability, such as ridges blown free of snow or frozen lakes with a thin cover of snow. When hindered by deep snow, they back into dense conifers to protect their vulnerable inguinal region and lower haunches from attacks by wolves. They may then charge the wolves and attack them by slapping them with their front legs and kicking them with their hind legs. These blows are powerful enough to kill wolves.

Moose have killed humans. In Siberia, hunters armed with muzzle-loading guns feared wounded moose far more than they feared the large brown bear. Due to the thick skin on its head and neck and its dense skull, an attacking moose could not be readily stopped with a small, round rifle ball of soft lead.

Moose normally escape predators by trotting at high speed, which forces the pursuing smaller predators into expensive and tiring jumping but which costs a moose relatively little energy. It readily comes to bay but on its terms: it chooses low water where wolves are hampered in their movements. Although moose are excellent swimmers, it does not choose deeper water, because northern wolves have relatively large paws and so are also excellent swimmers. Predation by wolves and bears removes the infirm but may also severely deplete healthy calves, despite the spirited defense of their mothers.

Moose mate in September so that the calves may be born in June to take advantage of spring vegetation. The antlers are shed of the blood-engorged skin called velvet in late August, and the bulls are in rut by the first week of September. Rutting bulls search widely for females, but the bulls may also attract females with the smell of their urine. They paw rutting pits with their forelegs, urinate into them, and splash the urine-soaked muck onto their hairy bells. Cows in turn may call to attract bulls. Actively rutting bulls appear to receive more than 50 punctures per mating season, but they are protected by a thick skin on the front and the neck. Rutting is expensive, as bulls lose virtually all of their body fat and their festering wounds must heal.

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Because of their large body size, moose have a long gestation period of about 230 days. Twins are not uncommon. The young are born tan in colour, which contrasts sharply with the dark colour of adults. They grow very fast but still require maternal protection against wolves in winter. They are driven off by their mother shortly before she gives birth again. The dispersed yearlings roam in search of new living space.

Young calf moose in human hands tame readily and emerge as surprisingly intelligent, mischievous, but utterly loyal creatures. As mounts and beasts of burden, moose are superior to horses in muskeg and taiga. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, moose became scarce owing to severe exploitation in unsettled times in Eurasia and to uncontrolled market hunting in North America. However, they responded readily to protection and management. Today moose are abundant in Eurasia and North America and are a cherished game animal. (The muzzle of the moose is considered a delicacy.) However, with the restoration of a predator fauna in North America, moose are again declining.

Valerius Geist

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