Finding Moose in Yellowstone can be a little trickier than other ungulates, because moose are usually loners and more secretive/shy. Moose in Yellowstone are one of four subspecies of moose (Alces alces shirasi) in North America, and are found in forested areas and willow flats from southeastern British Columbia to northern Colorado. They are better adapted to survival in deep snow than other ungulates in Greater Yellowstone. Except for during the rut, moose are usually found alone or in small family groups. This behavior, and their use of habitat where they are often well concealed, impedes accurate estimates of population size and distribution. The most recent estimate is that there are fewer than 200 moose in the park. The population has declined in last 40 years due to loss of old growth forests surrounding the park, hunting outside the park, burning of habitat, and predators.
Female moose in Yellowstone near Petrified Tree area
The adult male (bull) weighs close to 1,000 pounds; female (cow) weighs up to 900 pounds. They measure 5½ to 7½ feet at the shoulder. A young calf weighs 25–35 pounds at birth. Moose mating season peaks in late September to early October. Mating can lead to spectacular fights between males competing for a female. Cows give birth to one or two calves born in late May or June. Moose can live up to 20 years. Although generally slow-moving and sedentary, moose can become aggressive and move quickly if angered or startled. In terms of raw numbers, moose attack more people than bears and wolves combined, but usually with only minor consequences. In the Americas, moose injure more people than any other wild mammal.
Like any wild animal, moose are unpredictable and should be given a respectful amount of space. They are most likely to attack if annoyed or harassed, or if their “personal space” has been encroached upon. A moose that has been harassed may vent its anger on anyone in the vicinity, and they do not make distinctions between their tormentors and innocent passers-by. Moose are very limber animals with highly flexible joints and sharp, pointed hooves, and are capable of kicking with both front and back legs. Unlike other large, hooved mammals, such as horses, moose can kick in all directions including sideways. Therefore, there is no safe side from which to approach. However, moose often give warning signs prior to attacking, displaying their aggression by means of body language. The maintaining of eye contact is usually the first sign of aggression, while laid-back ears or a lowered head is a definite sign of agitation. If the hairs on the back of the moose’s neck and shoulders (hackles) stand up, a charge is usually imminent.
Bears are common predators of moose calves and, rarely, adults. Alaskan moose have been reported to successfully fend off attacks from black bears, brown bears and grizzlies. Moose have been known to stomp attacking wolves, which makes them less preferred as prey to the wolves. Moose are fully capable of killing bears and wolves.
Male moose in early spring along Northeast Entrance Road’s last picnic area
Bull moose have antlers like other members of the deer family. Cows select mates based on antler size. Bull moose use dominant displays of antlers to discourage competition and will spar or fight rivals. The size and growth rate of antlers is determined by diet and age; symmetry reflects health.
Large bull moose, early summer so antlers are still velvet covered
Bull moose hiding among trees on Blacktail Plateau Drive
After the mating season, males drop their antlers to conserve energy for the winter. A new set of antlers will then regrow in the spring. Antlers take three to five months to fully develop, making them one of the fastest growing animal organs. Antler growth is “nourished by an extensive system of blood vessels in the skin covering, which contains numerous hair follicles that give it a ‘velvet’ texture.” This requires intense grazing on a highly-nutritious diet. By September the velvet is removed by rubbing and thrashing which changes the color of the antlers. Immature bulls may not shed their antlers for the winter, but retain them until the following spring. Birds, carnivores and rodents eat dropped antlers as they are full of protein and moose themselves will eat antler velvet for the nutrients.
Female moose in willows near Soda Butte Creek/Lamar River junction
Moose are excellent swimmers and are known to wade into water to eat aquatic plants. This trait serves a second purpose in cooling down the moose on summer days and ridding itself of black flies. Moose are attracted to marshes and river banks during warmer months as both provide suitable vegetation to eat and water to wet themselves in. Moose have been known to dive underwater to reach plants on lake bottoms, and the complex snout may assist the moose in this type of feeding. Moose are the only deer that are capable of feeding underwater. As an adaptation for feeding on plants underwater, the nose is equipped with fatty pads and muscles that close the nostrils when exposed to water pressure, preventing water from entering the nose.
Female moose
Finding Moose in Yellowstone:
- Moose can be found in forested areas, willow flats, marshy areas of meadows, lake shores, and along rivers.
- Moose can be found in the same areas all year round.
- Lamar Valley: area where Soda Butte Creek meets Lamar River has been a consistent successful location.
- Along the Soda Butte Creek on out the Northeast Entrance Road.
- Blacktail Plateau Drive: the end near Petrified Tree area.
- Road from Mammoth to Tower: Both sides of the road in the vicinity of the Petrified Trees Turnoff/End of Blacktail Plateau Drive.
- Madison River/Gibbon River near Madison Junction.
- Bechler area in Southwest corner of park.
- North of West Yellowstone the section of park along Rte 191- along Grayling Creek.
- Along Snake River near South Entrance.
Moose can also be viewed in nearby Grand Teton National Park: Moran Junction is a great area. I have viewed moose in Glacier National Park (Montana) and Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado). This species of moose is most prevalent in Wyoming and Northern Colorado; but can also be found in parts of Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Utah.
Three moose in Soda Butte Creek/Lamar River junction area Yellowstone in January
Mother moose with young calf in the fall
