The moose is the largest living species of deer, found across the boreal and mixed forests of North America, Europe and Asia, distinguished by its towering height, long legs, a pendulous flap of skin called a bell hanging from the throat, and in males, broad, palmate antlers that can span well over a metre. Moose are generally solitary and are strong swimmers, often feeding on aquatic plants in ponds and lakes as well as browsing on shrubs, bark and twigs in the surrounding forest. Despite their size, moose can move quickly through dense vegetation and deep snow, and while population trends vary regionally, with some populations declining due to disease, parasites and changing climate conditions, the species overall remains widespread and classified as being of least concern.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceMost adult male moose have broad, palmate (open-hand shaped) antlers; other members of the deer family have pointed antlers with a dendritic (twig-like) configuration. 1 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Moose (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source World Wildlife Fund
Source World Wildlife Fund
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Moose (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction
The moose or elk (Alces alces) is the world's tallest, largest and heaviest extant species of deer and the only extant species in the genus Alces. It is also the tallest, and the second-largest, land animal in North America, falling short only to the American bison in body mass.
Lead section, antler description sentence
Most adult male moose have broad, palmate ("open-hand shaped") antlers; other members of the deer family have pointed antlers with a dendritic ("twig-like") configuration.
Lead section
Hunting shaped the relationship between moose and humans, both in Eurasia and North America
Infobox: status
LC
- In Biome: Boreal Forest, Wikipedia intro: "ly have pointed antlers with a dendritic ("twig-like") configuration. Moose inhabit the circumpolar boreal forests or temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of t..."
View the Source 2. Moose (Wikidata)
WikidataStatements section, habitat (P2974): Terrestrial
Wikidata habitat statement (P2974) resolves to a terrestrial habitat type.
Statements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
Wikidata Q35517 (P1034 main food source): forb
Main food source (Wikidata property P1034): forb.
View the Source 3. NatureServe Explorer: Alces alces
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
View the Source 4. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Alces alces (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITESQuote, Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
View the Source Wikidata: Moose
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: ArtiodactylaView the Source World Wildlife Fund
World Wildlife Fund- In Ecosystem: Canadian Boreal Forest
- In Ecosystem: Scandinavian Taiga
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