Moose, the largest members of the deer family, are large North American mammals. Standing up to six feet tall and weighing over 1,000 pounds, they are recognized by their dark brown coat, a dewlap, and the males’ broad, palmate antlers. Their hollow hairs provide insulation, making them well-suited for cold environments. They are a sought-after species for wildlife viewing, embodying the wild character of northern landscapes.
States Where Moose Roam
Moose populations are found across 19 states in the United States, primarily concentrated in the northern regions. Alaska holds the largest population, estimated at 175,000 to 200,000 animals, making it the state with the most moose in North America. In the contiguous U.S., the Northeast boasts significant numbers, with Maine having the largest population, estimated between 60,000 and 70,000 moose. Other New England states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts also support established moose populations, largely due to natural recolonization after historical declines.
Moving westward, the Great Lakes region is home to moose in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Further west, the Rocky Mountain states provide habitat for Shiras moose, a smaller subspecies. States such as Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada all have moose populations, with Colorado’s numbers growing significantly after reintroduction efforts began in 1978. Moose have also re-established themselves in New York’s Adirondacks and are found in North Dakota.
Understanding Moose Habitat
Moose are adapted to cool climates, making them susceptible to heat stress in warmer conditions. When temperatures rise, they seek shade, cooling winds, or immerse themselves in water for relief. Their preferred habitats include circumpolar boreal forests and temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, characterized by spruce, fir, northern hardwoods, and aspen-birch stands.
These large herbivores are browsers, consuming leaves, twigs, buds, and bark from woody plants like willow, birch, aspen, and maple. They also rely heavily on aquatic vegetation such as water lilies and pondweed, which provide essential sodium and help them cool down during warmer months. Disturbed areas resulting from fires or logging operations are beneficial as they promote the growth of young, nutritious plants that moose prefer.
Protecting Moose Populations
Moose populations face a range of challenges, with climate change emerging as a threat due to increasing temperatures, altered forest species, and a rise in parasitic infections. One notable parasite is the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), which can infest individual moose with tens of thousands of ticks, leading to substantial blood loss, hair loss, and even death, particularly in calves. Warmer, longer autumns can prolong the tick season.
Brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) is a parasite carried by white-tailed deer that can be fatal to moose. Moose contract brainworm by accidentally ingesting slugs or snails infected with larvae while foraging, which affects their nervous system, causing neurological problems and often death. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal prion disease, also threatens moose, deer, and elk by affecting their nervous system.
Conservation efforts involve habitat preservation, including mimicking natural disturbances like fires through timber harvests, and conducting research on moose health and population trends. Wildlife agencies also monitor populations using aerial surveys and camera trapping, and implement management strategies to mitigate disease impacts, such as managing deer populations in areas where brainworm is a concern.