The moose
Alces alces
The moose is called the King of the Forest and it is perhaps not strange because it is our country’s absolute largest animal – and by far the largest deer animal in the world. The bulls’ impressive crowns certainly contribute to the name as well. We have chased the moose in ancient times, and it has become something of a national symbol for Sweden. Even today, moose hunting is a big part of our country.
About
We have hunted elk moose since ancient times and now this animal is a national symbol for Sweden and many tourists come here to catch a glimpse of it. The moose weighs 200-550 kg and can measure up to 2 m in height. Every year the male loses his antlers, but they grow back again ready for the next mating season.
They are often described as brown, but the coat colour varies from dark brown and almost black to light brown or grey. The legs are always light greywhite. Moose eat grass, herbs, trees, twigs andneedles. Moose live alone and the female rears the young. Mating takes place in the autumn and the calves are born in early summer.
Did you know that
They are rutting for just one day. If they are not mounted, then they will be rutting again after three weeks.
In the 19th century, the moose was basically extinct from Sweden and became protected by law.
In the past, it was thought that moose could not lie down.
Between 72 and 93 percent of moose that die, die from hunting. Other causes of death among the moose are traffic accidents and predators.
The moose has very good hearing.
Fact
Class: Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)
Scientific name: Deer (Cervidae)
Conservations status: L
Size: Body length between 200-290 cm. Shoulder height 180-210 cm for bull moose and between 150-180 cm for cow moose.
Weight: In Sweden, the bulls weigh between 320-450 kg (but weights over 500 kg have been noted). The female moose weigh between 250-375 kg.
Number of youngs: 1-2, sometimes 3
Conservation status
