Moose, one of North America’s largest land mammals, are iconic across the United States. Characterized by their impressive size and the distinct palmate antlers of males, they primarily inhabit cooler, forested regions. While not found in every state, significant populations thrive in northern and western territories.
Moose in the Northern Forests: New England and Great Lakes
The northeastern United States, particularly the New England states, hosts a substantial moose population. Maine leads this region with an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 moose, representing the largest population in the contiguous United States. New Hampshire follows with 3,000 to 4,000 moose, and Vermont has about 2,000. Massachusetts supports 1,000 to 1,500 moose, primarily in its western and central areas, with about 100 in Connecticut near the Massachusetts border. New York’s Adirondack Park reported a surveyed population of 716 moose in 2024.
Northern forestlands provide a consistent supply of young trees and shrubs for moose diet in these areas. Regenerating clearcuts, wetlands, and diverse forest types like spruce-fir, northern hardwoods, and aspen-birch swamps provide important habitats, offering woody browse for winter sustenance and shade or cover during warmer months. While New England populations are robust, some areas face challenges, including increased winter ticks linked to changing climate conditions.
The Great Lakes region also supports notable moose populations. Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin are home to moose, found in boreal and mixed deciduous forests. These habitats provide the dense vegetation and water bodies moose rely on. However, moose populations in parts of Minnesota have declined, with concerns about heat stress and parasites.
Moose of the Western Mountains and Alaska
Moose also inhabit the mountainous terrain of the Western United States, extending their range through Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Utah. Wyoming has an estimated 3,500 moose, while Idaho boasts around 10,000. Montana’s moose population is estimated at 2,334, and Washington had approximately 5,000 moose as of 2015, predominantly in the Selkirk Mountains. Colorado, which reintroduced moose in 1978, now has a population exceeding 2,400.
These western moose occupy high-elevation forests, subalpine zones, and riparian areas along rivers and streams. They exhibit altitudinal migrations, moving to different elevations seasonally to find optimal forage and avoid deep snow.
Alaska stands as a primary stronghold for moose in the United States, with an estimated population of 175,000 to 200,000, making it the state with the highest moose population. Alaskan moose, the largest subspecies, inhabit boreal and mixed deciduous forests across much of the state, from the Southeast Panhandle to the Arctic Slope. They are particularly abundant in recently burned areas, which promote dense growth of willow, aspen, and birch shrubs, and along major rivers. While widespread across Alaska, their numbers can fluctuate in local areas, often influenced by the maturation of fire-created habitats.
Key Habitat Requirements for US Moose
Moose have specific environmental needs dictating their distribution. As herbivores, they primarily consume leaves and twigs of woody plants, known as “browse.” Preferred food sources include willow, aspen, birch, maple, and pin cherry. In winter, when deciduous leaves are scarce, balsam fir provides additional forage, though moose cannot survive on it alone due to its lower nutritional value.
Water availability is a significant habitat requirement. Moose frequently feed on aquatic vegetation like pondweed and water lilies, which are rich in sodium, a mineral often lacking in woody browse. During warmer months, moose use lakes, ponds, and wetlands for food, cooling, and insect escape. They are capable swimmers and immerse themselves in water to regulate body temperature.
Climate tolerance plays a substantial role; moose are adapted to cold environments and can experience heat stress in warm weather. Temperatures above 14°C (57°F) in summer can induce heat stress, leading to increased respiration rates and reduced foraging. To cope, moose seek shade, cooling winds, or immerse themselves in water. This need for cool climates influences their range, limiting them to northern latitudes and higher elevations with suitable thermal refugia.