Moose Facts
Some Moose Facts That You May Not Know
Here are some interesting moose facts you might not have known:
The word “moose” came from the word “mooswa”, which means “twig eater” in the language of the Algonquin Indians. Explorers to the area learned the word and it evolved into “moose”.
The moose was the main supply of meat for the Algonquins. They ate the meat, made clothing and shelter from the hides, and used the antlers and bones to make tools.
The moose, facts say, is actually a deer. It's the biggest deer. It can run up to thirty-five miles an hour and swim ten miles.
Moose eat aspen, birch and willow twigs, grasses, pond weeds, roots, sedges and horsetail. They also dine on aquatic plants, lichens, the bark of shrubs and trees, buds, twigs and leaves. Moose can even eat underwater!
Look in Europe, North America or Russia to find various types of moose. Facts tell us that in Asia and Europe, moose are called elk.
Moose use their hooves more for fighting than their antlers! Their front hooves especially are excellent weapons.
Moose have a long life-span. Females have been known to live for twenty years. Bulls usually reach no further than fifteen years.
Antlers are made of solid bone. While they grow, they are tender and soft, and they grow very strong. After the rutting season, moose shed their antlers and begin growing them again.
Moose act kindly toward other animals. They can strike with deadly force if they feel threatened, but they don't usually attack other animals if they're not provoked.
Only adult male moose, facts state, have antlers. They can grow up to an inch per day. As a general rule, each new set of antlers will be bigger than the previous one.
Moose are most active during the daylight hours. Their activity peaks at dusk and dawn. They don't have good vision, but their sense of smell and hearing are very good. Moose are color-blind, and they likely see the world in shades of gray.
If a moose feels threatened, it may attack. Some things that bother them are traffic, dogs and people. Bulls are a lot more aggressive during mating season. Similarly, cows with calves will be very protective of them, to the degree that they may attack any intruder.
If a moose is preparing to attack, the hump's long hairs will be raised, and it will lay its ears back. He may also lick his lips.
Sometimes charging can only be “bluffing”, but if you charged by a moose, facts would confirm that it's a good idea to get away from the animal. Even young calves can injure people with their hooves, although they generally wouldn't attack unless threatened.