The Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have a native or established population of moose (Alces alces). If visitors encounter a very large deer-like animal in the park, it is an elk, a species that has been successfully reintroduced to the Southern Appalachians. The absence of moose from this region is due to specific environmental and climatic factors that make the park’s habitat unsuitable for the species.
The Absence of Moose in the Smoky Mountains
Moose are adapted to the boreal and subarctic environments of the northern United States and Canada, where cold winters and deep snow are common. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, despite its high elevations, has a warm, humid climate that presents a physiological challenge. Moose have a large body size and thick, dark coat, making them highly susceptible to heat stress, especially during the summer months.
Heat stress can begin to occur at ambient temperatures as low as 15 degrees Celsius in the spring and around 24 degrees Celsius in the summer. These conditions are common in the Southern Appalachians, forcing moose to expend energy cooling down rather than foraging. They require thermal refugia, such as mature conifer forests dominated by species like balsam fir and spruce, which provide dense shade and cooler microclimates. The fragmented and more temperate forest types of the Smokies do not offer the consistent, expansive habitat needed to support a healthy moose population.
Mistaken Identity: Distinguishing Moose and Elk
The confusion about moose often stems from the successful reintroduction of elk (Cervus canadensis) to the park. Elk are the largest native ungulates in the region, and there are clear physical distinctions between the two species, starting with size. A mature bull moose is significantly larger, standing five to seven feet tall at the shoulder and weighing between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds. In contrast, a bull elk typically stands four to five feet tall and weighs 700 to 1,100 pounds.
Moose have a distinctively hunched appearance due to long forelegs and a prominent shoulder hump, paired with a large, bulbous snout that overhangs the mouth. They also possess a dewlap, often called a bell, which is a flap of skin hanging from the throat. Elk have a more streamlined, deer-like profile, a slim face, and no noticeable dewlap or shoulder hump.
The antlers also differ significantly. Moose sport massive, broad, and flattened structures known as palmate antlers. Elk grow traditional “crown” antlers that are rounded in cross-section and sweep back over the animal in a long, branching rack. The elk herd, which began with 52 animals released in 2001 and 2002, now numbers around 200 and is most frequently observed in the Cataloochee Valley and near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
The True Large Mammal Residents of the Park
The largest large mammal resident in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). The park is home to one of the densest black bear populations in North America, with an estimated 1,500 individuals, equating to roughly two bears per square mile. Large male bears, known as boars, can reach weights exceeding 800 pounds, making them the park’s largest predator.
Black bears are commonly seen in areas with abundant food sources, such as Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. They are omnivorous, feeding mostly on plant material, insects, and acorns. Visitors should always maintain a distance of at least 50 yards from bears.
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are also widespread and are the most frequently encountered large mammal in the park. These deer thrive in meadows and open areas, feeding on grasses, fruits, and acorns. They are particularly common in open valley floors, such as Cades Cove, especially during the morning and late evening hours.
Visitors have the best chance of viewing both bears and deer during the early morning and late evening when the animals are most active. Observing wildlife from a safe distance, using binoculars or a spotting scope, helps protect both the animals and the visitors.