Eastern moose

The eastern moose (Alces alces americana) is a subspecies of moose. that ranges throughout most of Eastern Canada and most of the New England states and northern New York. Eastern moose inhabit boreal forests and mixed deciduous forests, which provide camouflage from predators such as wolves and humans. The eastern moose is the third largest subspecies of moose, behind the western moose and the Alaska moose. Male eastern moose along with all the other moose species are extremely aggressive during mating season and will attack or kill anything that provokes it.

Habitat, range, and distribution

The eastern moose ranges from Eastern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland (not Labrador) and Nova Scotia. In the United States, it inhabits Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and northern New York State. The population of the eastern moose is rapidly increasing due to the fact that its habitat is vastly undeveloped. Many observations have reported the average direction of the moose population expansion is heading south. As of the present day the moose population expands to as far south as Upstate New York and throughout northern Connecticut, though Pennsylvania and New Jersey have yet to report sightings of moose. However, many believe the ever-expanding population will reach those two states in around ten years but maybe more depending on the speed of how frequent they reproduce and how abundant food and water will continue to be as they would likely expand their territory further south. There are about 350,000 eastern moose, with about ³⁄₄ of them mating every autumn and winter. The only eastern moose that do not mate are bull moose that lose to another bull moose for breeding rights.

Diet

Eastern moose have a diet similar to that of the other moose species and includes terrestrial vegetation forbs and shoots from trees such as willow and birch. Eastern moose can consume 32 kg in a day. Eastern moose also forage for aquatic plants such as lilies and pondweed during the spring and summer.^[1] Like other moose species, eastern moose lack upper front teeth but have eight sharp incisors on their lower jaw.

Size and weight

Male eastern moose stand on average 1.7–2.0 m (5.6–6.6 ft) at the shoulder. Eastern moose antlers have an average span of about 1.5m (5–6 ft) across. The weight of a male eastern moose averages about 634 kg (1,398 lb). Female eastern moose stand on average 1.7m (5–6 ft) at the shoulder and weigh 270–260 kg (600–570 lb). Eastern moose are the third largest subspecies of moose only behind the western moose and the Alaska moose.

Social structure and reproduction

Eastern moose are solitary most of the year and only come into contact with other individuals either to mate or for two bull moose to fight for breeding rights. Along with other moose species, bull eastern moose have high testosterone levels and will attack anything that provokes or scares it. This includes humans, wolves, elk, and bears. Confrontations often come out with deadly results. During a fight between two bulls, they both take the risk of getting their antlers locked. This results in a slow, painful death from starvation. Female eastern moose are mostly peaceful towards humans unless she has calves with her. She will attack anything that is within her territory. Like other moose species, male eastern moose use mating calls to attract females to mate with or to challenge another bull moose for mating rights. At 10–11 months, yearling moose are chased off by their mothers to fend for themselves.

Hunting

Eastern moose are hunted for food and sport during autumn and winter.^[2]

In the past, the eastern moose population has increased rapidly, causing a problem for residents in their habitat, and hunting helped control the eastern moose population. Hunters use both bows and arrows and guns to hunt eastern moose and are only allowed to hunt male moose because the female moose could be pregnant when killed. As of 2014, there is concern regarding the decline in the moose population in northern New England, possibly due to the winter tick.^[3]

References