5 fun facts about moose
We at MWV Famous have chosen the moose as our mascot. So, we thought it would be good to share a few fun facts about the largest wild animal in the Granite State.
fact 1
Moose are big. That might seem obvious, but it can be hard to wrap your mind around just how big they are. Moose are the largest member of the deer family and the tallest animal in North America; adults are around 6 feet at the shoulder, and as much as 10 feet to the top of the antlers. They are the second largest animal on the continent after bison, with adult male moose weighing an average of 1,000 pounds — that’s about half the weight of a small car or the same as a baby elephant — or four to six adult white-tailed deer, which are the most common kind of deer in New Hampshire.
Once while driving along the Kancamagus highway on a foggy night, I slowed down for what appeared to be two people staggering across the road. It wasn't until I was nearly on top of it that I could see the body of the moose looming high above my little car. All that had been picked up by my headlights were the legs. Situations like this and the fact that moose can run across the road with little warning led to the state’s “Brake For Moose, It Could Save Your Life” campaign, which started in the 1980s when the moose population began to surge from fewer than 100 to several thousand.
fact 2
Antlers may serve as hearing aids. Adult male, or bull, moose grow new antlers every year, shedding them just before winter. Moose antlers, made primarily of bone, can have a span of up to 6 feet. Their size and symmetry can be a sign of health, and scientists believe they are used to attract mates and scare off rivals. But according to a study published in 2008 in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, their broad, flat, palm-shaped surfaces can also amplify sound, making it easier for them to hear the calls of other moose.
fact 3
Moose are fast. A moose can reach a top speed of 35 miles per hour, similar to an average horse (though race horses can run faster). Even a calf can outrun a human by the age of five days. They are also fast in the water and can swim 10 miles an hour.
PHOTO: When you see this logo be sure to check out our feature of the week.
fact 4
Yes, moose can swim! Moose spend a good deal of time in the water in the summer, when aquatic plants make up a significant part of their diet. To do that they swim and can also dive, staying underwater for up to 50 seconds. A moose needs to eat 25-45 pounds of vegetation — mostly twigs and leaves — every day to maintain its bulk.
PHOTO: Moose, bear and coyote skulls are seen in a display at the U.S. Forest Service Saco Ranger Station on the Kancamagus Highway.
fact 5
How to find a moose. Visitors to New Hampshire often hope to see a moose. It helps to know where and when to look. Moose are found throughout New Hampshire but are most abundant in the northern part of the state. Young forests, wetlands and ponds provide good vegetation for them to eat and so can provide good locations for viewing, particularly at dawn and dusk. The best time of year for seeing moose is mid-May through mid-July. In and around the Mount Washington Valley, moose are often seen in the notches as well as in wetlands like the Sugar Hill Overlook on the Kancamagus Highway. When looking for moose, it is important to keep your distance. Moose can charge and kick when they feel threatened.
PHOTO: Moose and deer track replicas are shown side by side in a New Hampshire Fish and Game display at Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany.
just one more…
New Hampshire’s moose population is threatened by winter ticks. It isn’t quite as easy to spot a moose as it was just 20 years ago. The moose population rose steadily throughout the late 20th century, peaking at about 7,500 in 1996 before falling again to about 3,500 today. While there are several stressors on moose populations, studies by state biologists indicate that the biggest cause of decline has been winter ticks, which are a different species from the ticks found on humans and dogs. A moose can be infested with as many as 30,000 of these large ticks, each of which is seeking a blood meal to complete their reproductive cycle. Moose infested with ticks can suffer massive blood loss, leading to death among younger animals and weakness and lack of reproduction among adults. State Fish and Game biologists say maintaining a low to moderate density of moose will also reduce the tick population and ultimately lead to a healthier if smaller moose population.
PHOTO: Moose jaw and moose ticks.
Find out more on the New Hampshire Fish and Game website at wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/species-occurring-nh/moose. In the Mount Washington Valley, Tin Mountain Conservation Center (tinmountain.org) also hosts programs and provides information about moose and other New Hampshire Wildlife.
