31/10/2015
#25 Largest Deer in the World - Moose (Eurasian Elk)
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Alces
Endemic to: North America, Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, Latvia, Estonia, some parts of Russia
Life Span: 15–25 years
Moose are large ungulates (hoofed mammals) identified by their long, rounded snouts; huge, flattened antlers; hu**ed back; thin legs; and massive bodies. These animals live in the northern United States, Canada and Europe. In North America, they are called moose; in Europe, they are called Eurasian elk.
Males are heavier than females.
Moose have short tails, a hump on their shoulders and large ears that can rotate to give them stereophonic hearing. Their fur is generally brown or black and provides excellent insulation from the cold. Male moose, called bulls, have massive antlers. These can grow 6 feet (1.8 m)wide from tip to tip. Antlers are only used for fighting for a mate, and they are shed each winter after mating season, which runs from September to October.
Moose hair is hollow. This type of fur helps to insulate the animal from the cold.
A moose's front legs are longer than its back legs. This helps the moose more easily jump over things lying in its path.
The hump on a moose's back is caused by massive shoulder muscles.
The flap of skin that hangs below a moose's chin is called a bell.
A moose's wide hooves act like built-in snowshoes, helping the moose walk in the snow.
Moose can run 35 mph (56 km/h) over short distances and trot at 20 mph (32 km/h) for longer periods.
Moose are strong swimmers and can swim up to 6 mph (9.5 km/h) and as far as 12.4 miles (20 km). Moose can also stay under water for 30 seconds when swimming.