Alaska Moose
(Alces gigas miller)
Moose are found in suitable localities in northern Europe, Asia, and North America. They are the largest members of the deer family, and on the Kenai Peninsula and neighboring regions in Alaska, they reach their maximum size both in stature and in horn development.
Moose are forest-loving animals, preferring country of thick timber and numerous lakes. In summer they enjoy wading in these lakes, not only for protection from flies and mosquitoes, but also in search of water plants. Moose are chiefly browsers feeding on the bark, twigs and leaves of maples, birches, alders and willows.
Aside from man, the chief enemy of the moose is the wolf. Bear and mountain lion sometimes prey upon the calves.
In the fall, during the mating season, bull moose are constantly on the move and often a terrific battle occurs when two rivals encounter each other.
As in all deer, the antlers are shed annually. The antlers of the bull on the right in this group have a spread of seventy-seven and five eighths inches, which at this time represents the world's record.
Audio: Listen to a Moose
Group Environment
This tundra scene on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, is typical of vast stretches of country. The vegetation, though dwarfed, is varied.
- Black Spruce, Picea mariana, a small, scrubby species which grows in swamps.
- Felt-Leaf Willow, Salix alaxensis, rarely higher than two feet but in sheltered situations may attain thirty feet. Alaska and Siberia.
- Birch, Betula glandulosa, a small scrubby species with creamy-toothed round leaves, turning red in autumn.
- Labrador Tea, Ledum groenlondicum, produces clusters of small pink or creamy flowers. In muskegs S. E. Alaska and parts of interior.
- Alder, Alnus Sinuata, a tall, thicket-forming shrub with large, thin leaves.
- The Low Hummocky mounds and flats are carpeted by a tangle of wiry, creeping shrubs and herbs: Cranberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, with evergreen oval leaves, Blueberry, Vaccinium uliginosum, with deciduous leaves; Crowberry, "Moss-berry," Impetrum nigrum, with tiny, moss-like foliage; Reindeer Moss, Clodonia rangiferina; Green or Red Sphagnum moss, Sphagnum; and the flat Liver Lichen, Sticta pulmonaria.
- The trees with yellow or orange foliage painted in the background are Quaking Aspens, Populus tremuloides.
- The Canada Jay or Whisky Jack, Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons, is a geographical race of the Jay found in the east.
- Alaska Spruce Grouse, Canachites canadensis osgoodi.
