The moose (genus Alces) is the largest living species within the deer family. This massive animal is found across the northern hemisphere, but the title of the largest member belongs specifically to the Alaskan/Yukon Moose, scientifically known as Alces alces gigas. This subspecies holds the record for achieving the greatest size and weight.
The Alaskan Giant
The Alaskan/Yukon Moose is immense, with mature males, or bulls, reaching staggering heights and weights. An average adult male stands between 6 and 7 feet tall at the shoulder. The largest recorded specimen was a bull that stood 7 feet 8 inches at the shoulder.
The weight of these animals is equally impressive, with average bull moose weighing between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds. The record weight for a bull moose confirmed in the Yukon reached an astonishing 1,808 pounds.
Beyond body size, the antlers of a fully mature bull moose are the largest of any living deer, frequently achieving a spread of 6 feet. The largest documented antler spread measured 83 inches across, demonstrating a vast, palmate structure.
Where the Largest Moose Roam
The extraordinary size of Alces alces gigas is directly tied to its specific geographic range across northwestern North America. This subspecies is primarily found throughout Alaska and the western regions of the Yukon Territory, with its range extending into parts of British Columbia. These northern environments, characterized by boreal forests and mixed deciduous woodlands, provide the necessary resources to support such large herbivores. They rely heavily on the browse from willow, birch, and aspen trees. During the winter, moose consume large quantities of these woody twigs and shoots, often establishing a noticeable “browse line” six to eight feet above the ground.
Subspecies Context
While the Alaskan/Yukon Moose is the largest, it is only one of several recognized subspecies of moose found across the globe. Other North American subspecies include the Eastern, Northwestern, and Shiras moose, all of which are generally smaller in stature. The Shiras moose, for example, is the smallest, with bulls weighing up to 1,200 pounds and rarely exceeding 6 feet in shoulder height.
Significant variation also exists between the North American and Eurasian populations. The Eurasian Moose (Alces alces alces), sometimes referred to as elk in Europe, is typically more compact than its Alaskan counterpart, with bulls weighing less than 1,400 pounds. Furthermore, the shape of the antlers can vary, with Eurasian bulls often exhibiting a more shell-like or less divided palmate structure compared to the broad, sweeping racks of the giant Alaskan bulls.