Moose

Page 150

But something caught his ear or nose and he began to turn, and had his head half around, when he saw a brown wall of fur detach itself from the forest to his rear and come down on him like a runaway truck. He just had time to see that it was a moose - he knew them from pictures but did not know, could not guess how large they were - when it hit him. It was a cow and she had no horns, but she took him in the left side and threw him out into the water and then came after him to finish the job.

. . . . At least he could walk and he had just about decided to leave everything when the cow moved out of the deeper water and left him, as quickly as she'd come, walking down along the shoreline in the shallow water, with her long legs making sucking sounds when he pulled them free of the mud.

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Moose Facts

The moose is the largest member of the deer family. The male adult weighs about 454 kg. The largest species can weigh up to 681 kg. They can grow 7 feet tall. Moose lose their antlers in the spring. The antlers are covered with fur. A bull moose has a body color that is brownish-black. They have long legs and a big head.

This strong swimmer can dive 5.5 meters. It can stay underwater for 30 seconds to search for underwater roots.

Moose eat trees and shrubs. They usually eat maple and aspen. Moose lick the natural salt deposits found in salt springs or along the roadside runoff to regain their mineral reserves that are used up over the winter.

The bull is a good fighter and can defend itself against a small pack of wolves. It is best to avoid the moose during mating season because it can be dangerous. Moose have a strong sense of smell and hearing.

Most babies are born near the end of May. Babies have reddish-brown and weigh 11 to 16 kg at birth.

Moose live in northern North America, Europe, and Asia. The male adult weighs about 454 kg. The largest species can weigh up to 681 kg.