NPS/ Gin Majka The Mighty MooseFeatured as the state animal, Maine is home to the highest population of these mammals in the mainland United States. What is it? The moose, of course! Moose are large, powerful, four -legged animals found across the forests of Maine. Moose are members of the Cervidae, or deer family, defined as hoofed grazing animals. They can be found enjoying vegetation across the monument, often grazing on aquatic plants. Each year, male moose grow antlers. Antlers are a display of dominance and help moose find mates. Antlers grow at extreme rates, sometimes one inch per day! As temperatures decrease and food becomes scarce, bull moose drop their antlers to conserve energy. Look out! Moose are often seen across monument land, on roads, trails, and in the backcountry. 
NPS/ Grace Kirk DietThe name “moose” or “moosu” is an Algonquin word meaning “bark stripper.” In Penobscot, this word for moose is mosi-. Visit the Penobscot dictonary for pronunciation and more information. Using large teeth, moose can strip twigs of leaves, trees of bark, and waters of aquatic vegetation. Moose are herbivores, meaning they eat only plants. A staple in the moose’s winter diet is balsam fir bark. Although low in nutritional value, firs are abundant in the boreal forests of northern Maine, making them a great winter food source. 
NPS/ Alyssa Mattei Tracking and IdentificationTracksLook closely! Moose leave distinct hoof prints on the ground in an alternating pattern. Hoof prints look like half moons facing inward, with two dots at the base. Moose tracks can be confused with other hoofed animals, such as deer. Major distinctions include size and depth. An average adult female moose weighs approximately 700 pounds, and an adult male weighs nearly 1,000. This mass leads to deeper tracks. Moose tracks are approximately six inches wide, compared to deer which are closer to three. Finally, the distance between tracks can identify their maker. Moose have long legs, leading to increased stride length. Look for a trail of tracks and estimate the distance between them. If the average stride length is greater than 30 inches, it’s a moose! 
NPS/ R. Wang ScatWatch your step! Moose scat is commonly found in the monument. It is small, round, and left in piles. It is larger than deer droppings and has a slightly elongated shape by comparison. This evidence is a great identifier that moose were nearby. ThreatsAs temperatures rise, moose face a new threat: winter ticks. These ticks attach to moose in high volume, which act as a constant irritant. This makes them itch. Consistent scratching and rubbing leads to fur loss, and eventually the moose is unable to stay warm. Persistent itching can also lead to unusual behavior as they become more desperate to remove the irritant from their fur. Learn more about the correlation between rising temperatures and winter ticks through Isle Royale National Park’s website.
NPS/ Grace Kirk MegafaunaMoose are one of North America’s last remaining megafauna, a category that defines large terrestrial animals, such as elephants, hippos, and giraffes. Megafauna were common millions of years ago when the earth had high oxygen levels, which have since dropped by nearly 20 percent. Moose stand as a final reminder of the large animals that inhabited the region, including their extinct predecessor, the stag moose.
RemindersIf you see a moose, please enjoy its majesty from a distance! Moose are wild animals and can behave in unpredictable ways. Try using the rule of thumb – hold your arm out straight and raise your thumb. If your finger does not cover up the animal, you are too close! For more fun facts about moose, visit -moose: did you know? |
Last updated: October 3, 2024