![]() ![]() Moose may live 20 years, but average lifespan is 10-12 years. Cows have been known to kill wolves, grizzlies, black bear, and people in defense of their calves. Calves are born in mid-May or early June, and weigh 25-35 pounds. Similarly, a cow can give birth at two years old when her physical condition is good, but it is commonly more delayed to three years old. After the rut, bulls may be seen eating together fattening up for the upcoming winter.Ĭows give birth to one calf, or two when they are in good physical condition. Bulls defend a cow they're pursuing, driving off younger bulls and sparring with more evenly matched opponents or youngsters bold enough to test their strength. Both bulls and cows travel more during this time in pursuit of mates. The breeding season, or rut, extends from mid-September through mid-October. Older forest stands provide cover for moose to rest and stands with conifers, such as balsam fir and spruce, are important areas of shade and shelter. It was traditionally created by wind throw, insect outbreaks, ice damage and wildfire, and now most frequently by logging. Young forest, regenerating forest 1-12 feet tall ( interactive WMA map) provides abundant vegetation for forage. Ideal moose habitat is forested areas with an interspersion of young and older forest stands. ![]() A typical day involves 5-9 bouts of feeding and resting with 97% of their time spent on these activities. The life strategy of a moose is to fill their stomach then rest, chewing their cud and monitoring for predators. Moose consume 25-45 pounds of vegetation per day. In summer, aquatic vegetation is often part of their diet. Moose are herbivores, browsing on the twigs and leaves of woody vegetation such as aspen, maple, birch, and willow. Yearlings develop a spike or fork adults develop antlers that may weigh up to 40 pounds with wide sweeping palms with many long tines. Antlers are dropped starting in November young bulls may retain their antlers into early spring. Antler growth begins in March or April and is completed by August or September when the velvet is shed. Cows also have a white patch of fur just beneath their tail. Bulls have a dark brown or black muzzle, while the cows’ face is light brown. Bulls and cows have different coloration patterns. An adult moose, averaging 1,000 pounds and standing 6 feet at the shoulder, is the largest land mammal in New Hampshire. ![]()
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