North America is home to many impressive mammals, including the bison and the moose. Both are recognized for their substantial size and distinct appearances, often leading to curiosity about their specific differences. They possess unique characteristics that allow them to thrive in their respective environments.
Direct Size Comparison
Bison surpass moose in overall body mass and bulk, making them the heavier of the two. An adult male bison, known as a bull, weighs between 460 and 988 kilograms (1,014-2,178 pounds), with some exceptionally large wild individuals reaching up to 1,270 kilograms (2,800 pounds). Female bison are smaller, weighing 360 to 640 kilograms (790-1,410 pounds). Shoulder height for males is 1.67 to 2.01 meters (5.5-6.6 feet), while females are around 1.52 to 1.57 meters (5-5.1 feet). Their body length extends up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) for males.
Moose are taller at the shoulder due to their long legs, but are less massive than bison. An adult male moose weighs from 380 to 700 kilograms (838-1,543 pounds), though the Alaskan subspecies average 635 kilograms (1,399 pounds) for males, with the largest recorded at 820 kilograms (1,808 pounds). Female moose weigh 200 to 490 kilograms (441-1,080 pounds). Moose stand impressively tall, between 1.4 and 2.1 meters (4.6-6.9 feet) at the shoulder, with some Alaskan bulls exceeding 2.1 meters. A prime bull moose can reach a total body length of 2.7 meters (9 feet).
Key Physical Distinctions
Bison and moose exhibit defining physical features that aid in their identification. Bison are characterized by a pronounced shoulder hump that rises significantly above their head, along with shorter, stocky legs. Their coat is shaggy and dark brown, with longer hair on their massive head, neck, and forelegs, and a noticeable beard on males. Both male and female bison possess short, curved horns that grow up to 60 centimeters (2 feet) long, used for defense and establishing dominance within the herd.
Moose are recognizable by the large, palmate antlers that adorn the heads of males, spanning up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) across and shed annually. They have exceptionally long legs, giving them a towering appearance, with their shoulders higher than their hindquarters. A distinctive flap of skin, called a dewlap or bell, hangs from their throat. Their fur is dark brown, and they have a long face with an enlarged nose and upper lip.
Habitat and Behavioral Differences
Bison and moose’s distinct physical adaptations are linked to their preferred habitats and behaviors. Bison inhabit open or semi-open grasslands, prairies, and scrublands, where they graze on abundant grasses and sedges. They are highly social animals, living in large herds, with females and their young forming maternal bands. Males form bachelor groups or live alone, joining larger herds during the July to September breeding season. Bison are well-adapted to these expansive environments, migrating and moving between foraging sites.
Moose prefer cooler, more temperate environments like boreal forests, mixed forests, and wetlands, including marshes and lakeshores. They are browsers, feeding on leaves, twigs, buds, and aquatic vegetation, which they access by wading into water. Unlike bison, moose are solitary creatures, with the strongest bonds observed between a mother and her calf. While temporary associations may form during the September-October mating season, moose do not gather in the large, cohesive herds characteristic of bison. Moose are known for strong swimming abilities, entering water to feed or cool themselves.