SHIRAS MOOSE

The Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) has the smallest body of any North American moose. The body color is a rusty yellowish-brown. This huge animal has very long legs, a large hump on its shoulders, and massive palmate antlers. The antlers grow out from the sides of the head, with the main beam dividing into two principle branches. The smaller branch (palm) grows forward and the larger branch grows backwards.

Moose are solitary animals except when mating, or a cow with her recent offspring, living by itself in a small home range. They mate in September and October and calves are born May and June.

They mainly eat woody vegetation – notably willow, poplar, balsam, aspen and birch – eating leaves, twigs and bark. Moose also feed on aquatic vegetation by wading into lakes and streams.