Faces – May 2019

and ponds to feed on aquatic plants that grow
in the water. Moose are born knowing how to
swim. They can paddle 6 mph for two hours
and dive to 16.5 feet below the surface, looking
for food. Moose have a space where their front
teeth would be. This helps them suck up aquatic
plants. A lowered breathing rate helps them
stay underwater longer. Swimming is good for
moose in several ways. It helps them live longer
because it takes pressure off their bones and
joints and keeps their body temperature down
on hot summer days. (Moose can’t tolerate
temperatures above 80° F because they can’t
sweat.) It’s also harder for land predators to
attack when moose are surrounded by water.
Most moose populations are not threatened
in spite of fairly heavy hunting. They can be
found in every Canadian province except Prince
Edward Island and are considered a species of
“least concern.” Surprisingly, one of the biggest
threats to the enormous moose is a small snail
that carries a tiny parasite about the size of

a human hair, called a brain worm. Moose

swallow the snails when looking for food in

warm, shallow waters. The brain worms cause

nerve damage, which can lead to death. So,

in spite of some pitfalls, moose populations

are holding their own in a time when climate

change and human activities are making it

tough. Make no moose-stake, this survivor is

not called the “King of the Forest” for nothing.

MOOSET-KNOW FACTS

Scientific name: Alces americanus

Also known as: Elk

Weight: 800–1300 pounds for females, 1200–

pounds for males

Habitat: Sub-Arctic and temperate forests with

nearby lakes, rivers, and ponds

Range: Canada, northern U.S., Europe, and Siberia

Diet: Leaves, twigs, buds, and aquatic plants in

summer. Pinecones, shrubs, and bark of woody

plants in winter.

Life span: 15–25 years in the wild

Slurp! A moose feasts on aquatic plants. Moose are born knowing how to swim.

Would you care for a serviette?