THE moose is singularly grotesque and awkward to
look at. Why should it stand so high at the shoulders? Why have so long a
head? Its comical appearance and
the rarity of sightings of this solitary creature in the wild have
fueled speculation that the moose is clumsy and slow-witted. Is that
true? Researchers in North America and Eurasia have uncovered many facts
about this unusual animal.
No one denies that the moose is a giant. Although
this “monarch of the forest” has long legs that make it seem ungainly,
those legs can fend off an entire pack of wolves. Moose learn to swim
within days of birth, and they have been observed swimming for miles and
diving to a depth of nearly 20 feet (6 m) to feed on water plants!
A moose can move its eyes and detect motion almost
directly behind it without turning its head. Its nose is also an
effective tool. Researchers suggest that because the moose’s nostrils
are far apart, they may give it the unusual ability to pinpoint the
location of objects on a three-dimensional scale. The moose’s hearing
adds another ingredient to its sensory package. Its ears can pivot in
all directions, and they can pick up sounds from other moose as far as two miles (3 km) away!
Moose calves, described by one writer as
“ridiculously cute,” tend to be curious and carefree. Their mothers,
called cows, protect them by providing tender and loyal care. Cows will
attack any who prey on their young, including wolves, bears, and even
humans. Finally, when the calf is about a year old and its mother is
newly pregnant, the mother aggressively drives it away so that the
yearling can begin caring for itself.
SURVIVAL IN THE NORTH
Since moose feed exclusively on plants, how do
they survive cold winters? Partly by gorging themselves during warmer
weather. Moose eat up to 50 pounds (23 kg) of forage daily, whether this
vegetation is grown ten feet (3 m) above the ground or underwater. They
make the most of this food by digesting it in a four-chambered stomach,
extracting needed nutrients and building up fat. The moose, however,
faces other dangers in winter.
Bitter cold and deep snow test a moose’s
endurance. It favors a quiet life in the winter, economizing movement
and retaining heat under its well-designed fur coat. Escape from wolves
in the snow is especially difficult, but often, an even greater hazard
to the moose is man
Moose love the concentrated nutrients found in
road salt, which is spread on many northern highways to melt snow.
However, because moose have dark fur and tend to cross roads after
sunset, drivers have difficulty spotting them in time to avoid
collisions. Both humans and moose have lost their lives because of this.
A PLAYFUL BEAST
Moose have been observed playfully attacking
ocean waves and blissfully bathing in hot springs. There is tenderness
evident between cows and bulls during the rut, and a cow’s loyalty to
her calf is truly heartwarming. Calves adopted by humans have even
formed maternal bonds with their keepers. Dr. Valerius Geist observes:
“This strange animal with the ungainly face can be quick witted,
affectionate, and loyal to a fault.”
