Moose are the most wonderful animals in the world.  With their 
bountiful beauty and strength, they inspire us with a sense of awe 
for Nature's majesty.  Moose also happen to be my favorite animals. 


Moose (Alces alces) live in the northern parts of America and 
Eurasia.  They are the largest members of the deer family, the 
biggest moose as high as seven feet at the shoulders.  They can weigh
over 1300 pounds, the males with broad, palm-like antlers up to six 
feet across and 90 pounds heavy. 


Despite their size and strength, moose tend to act very kindly toward
their environment.  Moose treat other animals and their surroundings
with respect and care.  Moose can be deadly if they feel threatened
or angered: they may charge the opponent or kick forcefully with
their hind legs.  However, moose generally do not attack other
creatures unless they or their offspring are in danger.  They prefer 
to avoid hurting others if possible. 


 Moose eat all sorts of plant matter.  In the summer, moose wade and 
swim through marshes and lakes, eating water plants.  They also eat 
the tender shoots such as birches, willow, or poplar.  In the winter, 
they will forage near the edges of forests, eating plant material 
such as bark or branches. 


 Only mature bull moose have antlers.  These antlers can very quickly 
grow to be very large size.  The rate of bone formation is the 
fastest known: up to one inch a day.  Moose shed their antlers before 
the winter each year and grow them back in the spring.  Why do they 
lose their antlers, considering the amount of energy it takes to grow 
them?  One reason they might shed their antlers is to make foraging 
in the winter easier.  Another reason is that the antlers each year 
are generally larger than the year before.  Starting over would allow 
the moose to expand not only length, but also broadness and bulk.