FaunaHub

Moose (Alces alces)

MammalDeer FamilyHerbivore

A bull moose with large antlers standing in vegetation.

Bull moose (Alces alces) with full antlers.

Image: GlacierNPS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (NPS).

Overview

The moose (Alces alces), known as the "elk" in Europe, is the largest living member of the deer family, Cervidae. It is a tall, long-legged browser of northern forests across North America, northern Europe, and Asia. Adult males grow large, broad, palmate antlers that are shed and regrown each year. Moose are generally solitary, in contrast to the herding habits of many other deer.

Habitat & Range

Moose inhabit cool, northern forest and woodland, often near lakes, rivers, wetlands, and willow thickets that provide both food and water. They are well adapted to cold and snow and are strong swimmers. Their range spans the boreal and mixed forests of the Northern Hemisphere; specific distribution and local abundance vary by region and should be checked against current wildlife-agency sources.

Diet

Moose are herbivorous browsers. They feed on leaves, twigs, bark, and buds of trees and shrubs such as willow, birch, and aspen, and in summer also feed heavily on aquatic vegetation, sometimes wading or submerging to reach it. Their long legs and mobile lips suit browsing tall and underwater plants. Diet shifts seasonally with plant availability.

Behavior

Moose are typically solitary outside the breeding season, unlike herd-forming deer. During the autumn rut, bulls compete for access to females and may spar with their antlers. Moose are usually wary, but they are very large and powerful animals that can become defensive, particularly cows with calves or animals that feel cornered. Wildlife agencies advise observing moose only from a safe distance.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Moose are an iconic species of northern wildernesses and are valued for wildlife watching and, in some regions, regulated hunting. They can also feature in vehicle collisions where roads cross their range. Population trends differ between regions — some are stable or increasing while others have declined — and conservation status should be verified against current IUCN Red List and regional wildlife-agency data rather than assumed.

Appearance & Recognition

Moose are unmistakable: very tall at the shoulder, with long legs, a high humped back, a long pendulous muzzle, and a flap of skin called a "bell" hanging beneath the throat. Coat colour is dark brown to almost black. Only bulls grow antlers, which in mature animals are broad and flattened (palmate) and can be very wide. Cows lack antlers and are somewhat smaller.

Similar Animals

The moose is the largest member of the deer family, which also includes the deer covered separately on FaunaHub, as well as elk (wapiti), caribou/reindeer, and roe deer. Confusingly, "elk" refers to the moose in Europe but to a different species (the wapiti) in North America.

More photos of the moose

A moose standing in an open landscape.

Moose (Alces alces), the largest living member of the deer family.

Image: Jacob W. Frank, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (NPS).

Frequently Asked Questions — Moose

Is a moose the same as an elk?
It depends on where you are. In Europe, "elk" is the standard name for the moose (Alces alces). In North America, "elk" usually refers to a different, smaller deer, the wapiti. To avoid confusion, the name "moose" is used internationally for Alces alces.
Why do moose have such large antlers?
Only bull moose grow antlers, which are shed and regrown each year. The large, palmate antlers are used in displays and contests between males during the autumn rut. Antler size is influenced by age and condition.
Are moose dangerous to people?
Moose are usually wary, but they are very large, powerful wild animals. They can become defensive — especially cows with calves or animals that feel threatened — so wildlife agencies advise keeping a safe distance and never approaching or feeding them.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.