Moose and caribou are two large mammals often associated with northern landscapes, leading to occasional confusion about their identities. Despite sharing similar cold habitats, these animals possess distinct characteristics that differentiate them. Understanding these differences provides insight into their unique adaptations and ecological roles within their respective environments.
Distinct Species
Moose and caribou are not the same species; they are distinct members within the deer family, Cervidae. The moose is scientifically known as Alces alces, a single species within the genus Alces. Caribou, on the other hand, belong to the species Rangifer tarandus, and they are the sole representatives of the genus Rangifer. In North America, Rangifer tarandus are commonly referred to as caribou, while in Europe and Asia, the same species is known as reindeer.
Physical Characteristics
Moose are larger and more robust than caribou. An adult moose can stand between 4 feet 7 inches and 6 feet 11 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh from 838 to 1,543 pounds. Caribou are smaller, weighing between 175 and 700 pounds and standing up to 5 feet tall at the shoulder. Moose possess broad, palmate, or “shovel-shaped” antlers in males, which can spread up to 6 feet wide. In contrast, caribou antlers are more branched and can be crescent-shaped, with the unique feature that both males and females grow antlers, although female antlers are smaller.
Moose have a large, pendulous muzzle that overhangs their mouth, adapted for browsing. Caribou have a more typical deer-like snout. Moose also have longer front legs than their back legs, aiding them in navigating deep snow and clearing obstacles.
Moose fur ranges from light brown to dusty black, often appearing very dark. Caribou have shaggy brown fur with white necks, rumps, and bellies, and their coat color can vary from dark brown to nearly white depending on the subspecies and season. Caribou hooves are large, concave, and splayed, acting like snowshoes to support them on snow and as paddles for swimming.
Habitat and Lifestyle
Moose prefer forested areas, particularly those with wetlands, lakes, and streams, where they find abundant woody vegetation and aquatic plants. They are browsers, consuming leaves, twigs, buds, and bark from trees and shrubs such as willows, birches, and aspens. In summer, they feed on aquatic vegetation, sometimes even diving underwater.
Moose are solitary animals, with the strongest bonds observed between a mother and her calf. While they may occasionally gather in small groups, particularly during the mating season, they generally avoid large herds. Their movements are localized within their home ranges.
Caribou inhabit colder, more open environments, including tundra, taiga, and open woodlands. Their diet consists of lichens, especially during winter, supplemented by sedges, grasses, and the leaves of willow and other tundra plants in warmer months. Caribou are social, forming large migratory herds that can travel up to 1,800 miles between seasonal grounds. This migratory behavior helps them find food across northern landscapes.
Shared Evolutionary Heritage
Despite their differences, moose and caribou share common ancestry as members of the deer family, Cervidae. This connection means they both possess features characteristic of cervids, such as being even-toed ungulates. Both species are adapted to the cold, northern environments of the Northern Hemisphere. Their geographic ranges overlap in many parts of North America and Eurasia, which can contribute to confusion about their identity. Both animals play roles in their ecosystems as large herbivores.