CARLYLE - Moose are majestic creatures and are renowned for their impressive sizes, striking antlers and unique adaptions to their environment. They are seen regularly in the southeastern part of Saskatchewan but are found primarily in the forests of North America, Europe and Asia.
Moose are the largest members of the deer family with adult males, called bulls, reaching 800-1200 pounds and standing six feet at the shoulder. Females known as cows are slightly smaller, weighing in at 600-1000 pounds.
They are easily recognized with their long, broad snouts, humped shoulders, and a distinctive flap of skin, known as the dewlap or bell that hangs from their throats.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the moose is the antlers of the males. These antlers can span up to six feet wide, are shed and grown annually.
During the breeding season, bulls use these antlers to compete for mates, engaging in dramatic displays and battles.
In the breeding season, bulls are much more aggressive and should be avoided at all times as they can attack using their front legs to strike their victims.
Moose have a 50 kilometre radius that they travel in, searching for their primary diet of leaves, twigs, bark and slough grass.
The bulls are generally a solitary animal, but the cows remain with their calves. Bulls and cows only come together during rutting season, where they can be very vocal.
Despite the size of these animals, they are very agile and can run up to 50 kilometres an hour, swim at an amazing speed and dive up to 20 feet under the water to forage for food.
They have few natural predators due to their size and strength, but during calving season, the young animals are vulnerable to wolves, bears and cougars.
Another significant challenge for moose population is the infestation of winter ticks and brainworm, which can cause large health issues and even mortality.
In addition to predators, they are also a huge risk to vehicle collisions and do a great deal of damage to vehicles because of their size.
It is always important to slow down when seeing these huge animals near the road, as in a moment they can turn and head for the highway, clearing fences like they do not exist.
