 |
Go Forth and Multiply
Everyone of the 125,000 or so moose on the island of Newfoundland descended from two cows and two bulls that were introduced into Howley from New Brunswick in 1904. |
| |
Chin Skin
The flap of skin under a moose's chin has been called a bell, a bag and a dewlap. Whatever the name it can grow to a metre long and during mating season, males cover it in urine soaked mud to attract females. |
| |
It's a Male Thing
The antlers, only found on bull moose, first appear in spring as two tiny buds. It takes only one summer for antlers to form, and their diameter near the head grows as the moose ages. The males shed them every winter. |
| |
Forget Element of Surprise
With huge ears that swivel 360 degrees, it is no wonder moose can hear a human voice more than a mile away. On top of these, their eyes move independently of each other; they can look both ways at the same time! |
| |
Down in Front
The front legs of a moose are actually longer than its back ones. Moose that stop to drink from a lake often kneel on their front legs in order to reach the water. |
| |
What Goes Down, Must Come Up
A moose has a four chambered stomach. It swallows food without chewing. Lets it mix in one chamber, turns it to pulp in another, then regurgitates it as cud and chews it approximately 82 times before re-digestion. |
| |
Don't Peek!
In Alaska, it's illegal to look at a moose from the window of any aircraft. It's also against the law to push a live moose out of a moving aircraft. |
| |
The Man Behind the Moose
Bullwinkle Moose, the jammed sidekick from the 1960s cartoon, The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, was the real name of a Pennsylvania farmer. The ABC series was inspired by Mr.Moose, a close friend of one of the show's producers. |
| |
Never Gets Cold Feet
According to Environment Canada, moose, like wolves and polar bears, are not susceptible to frostbite, even while walking on snow or ice minis 70 degrees Celsius. |
| |
It Coats and Floats
Moose hair strands, which can measure up to 10 inches long, are hollow. Air trapped inside is warmed by body heat, helping insulate the mammal from cold weather. The air filled hair also give moose extra buoyancy when swimming. |
| |
Did You Know
- Moose nostrils close under water when the mammal is swimming.
- The heaviest moose on record was shot in Alaska. It weighed 1,800 pounds (816kg).
- In Russia, moose are often prized dairy animals. Their milk is extremely high in protein and fat and is also rich in vitamins.
- The word "moose" comes from the Algonguin Indians, a group of native people who lived in the norther regions of Canada. The Algonquins called this strange looking creature mooswa. It means "Twig-eater" or "the animal that strips bark off of trees."
|
