Moose (Alces alces) lives in boreal forest and wetland across Northern North America, Europe, and Asia. It feeds on aquatic plants leaves. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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Moose are the world's tallest, largest and heaviest living deer, standing between 1.4 m and 2.1 m at the shoulder, which is more than 30 cm higher than the next-largest deer, the wapiti. Adult bulls typically weigh 380-700 kg, but the largest confirmed individual weighed 820 kg and measured 2.33 m high. This extreme size makes the moose not only the biggest deer but also a dominant presence in its boreal habitats.
In North America the moose holds the title of tallest land animal, reaching over 2 m at the shoulder, and it is only the American bison that surpasses it in body mass. While the bison can outweigh a moose, no other terrestrial species matches the moose's height, giving it a unique silhouette across the continent's forests and tundra. Its impressive stature contributes to its role as a keystone herbivore in the northern ecosystems.
A bull's antlers can easily exceed two metres in width, with the widest recorded spread measuring 2.1 m across, comparable to the width of a small car. Most mature bulls carry antlers between 1.2 and 1.5 m, but Alaskan adults aged five to twelve years often develop a spread greater than two metres. These massive palmate antlers are used for display and combat during the autumn mating season, signalling health and dominance to rivals and potential mates.
The biggest moose ever documented was shot in the Yukon in 1897, weighing 820 kg and standing 2.33 m tall at the shoulder. The largest confirmed size for this species was a bull shot at the Yukon River in September 1897 that weighed 820 kg (1,808 lb) and measured 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in) high at the shoulder.
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In the misty dawn of northern forests, the moose emerges as a majestic giant, its imposing antlers bobbing gently as it strides through the underbrush with a quiet confidence. With each deliberate step, its hooves barely disturb the forest floor, a testament to the moose's remarkable agility and stealth, despite its formidable size. As it moves, the moose weaves a path of subtle destruction, its voracious appetite leaving a trail of stripped branches and uprooted vegetation in its wake, a reminder of its unyielding presence in this delicate ecosystem.
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