by Llewellyn Boyd
(Canada)
Moose Jaw from a 4 1/2 year old. - Photo by Carl Kozak
Is it not possible to tell the age of a moose by looking at it's molars? I was told it's the only way to tell right age.
Yes Llewellyn, you are quite right. The only way to be certain of the age of a moose is by looking at its teeth. Often biologists will request to look at your moose teeth when you go through a game check. It is through the observance of the wear on the molars that the age of a moose can be accurately determined. By cutting the cheek to have access to the teeth, wildlife officials may be able to determine a moose age by its teeth.
However; there is a more accurate method which involves removal of a incisor tooth. The incisor teeth are the front center two teeth in the lower jaw of a moose. The tooth is removed by cutting through the gum line on either side of the tooth, down as deep as you can force a knife. Then with your thumb pull the tooth out and downward to pull it free. Once free of the jaw the tooth is scraped clean of gum tissue. Once removed a biologist can age an animal by sectioning the incisor tooth and counting the layers of cementum. This process is going to be done in a laboratory setting, not in the field.
According to Wikipedia - Cementum is a specialized calcified substance covering the root of a tooth
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by Lee Phillips
(The Great White North)
Close up but not very clear
We've been trying to solve a mystery.
There have been no sightings but all sorts of "evidence" of a large hooved animal around the perimeter of our property.
Poop had been appearing almost daily for a week, then none for 2 weeks, then some a couple of days, then none for quite a while.
Yesterday, my husband went out to feed the birds and found a fresh pile 10 feet from our back door RIGHT ON the property.
On one occasion, there were tracks left in the snow appearing to be hooves, but dragging marks between them.
We live in rural Ontario right beside about a 10 acre swampy low land area. We think the animal comes out of the marsh, goes to the toilet and retreats back to the marsh.
But this time, coming right onto the property.....how could we miss a moose?
Would it come out in broad daylight and would it be alone?
We just moved in in July. The droppings started to appear in mid-late October.
There are horses and cattle near, but not in the immediate vicinity. The ones the closest are penned and accounted for.
If it is a moose, would it be coming so close to the house and when would be the best time of day to watch for him?
PS: We so do not hunt. We would love to photograph him.
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by Curious
Calf Moose Growth at Birth
What are the dimensions of a moose calf at birth, six months, one year?
Thanks.
This moose is about six and a half months old.
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by Sue F.
(Maine)
Cow Moose Standing in Red Willows
Photo by Laurie M
We live just outside Farmington, Maine. Around 1:00 this morning (19 Jan 2018), we were awoken by something that sounded like a combination of a cow and a snowmobile.
It would sound for a second or two or three, then stop, then repeat, and it definitely sounded like it was moving deeper into the woods around the house.
We are surrounded by woods, and there is also a small dairy farm down the street from us. I didn't think moose were particularly active during this time of year, but when I listened to some sounds on YouTube videos, they were strikingly similar to what we heard.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
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by Ted
(Missouri)
A few summers ago we had paddles into Lake Missanaibi in northern Ontario. After making camp we became aware of a visitor, a cow moose, that circled our campsite for many hours...walking most of the time but also trotting at times....and frequently bellowing, staying two to three hundred feet at all times. Any explanation for the behavior?
Newborn calf moose when laying down can be almost impossible to see, more than likely the cow had a calf moose hidden in the bushes nearby and she felt you were too close to it's proximity.
Obviously not too close though, cow moose will vigorously protect their calves and will not hesitate to charge any intruder that is deemed a threat. Unwary hikers and campers have met the wrath of an angry and protective cow moose...
She would rise up and strike with her front hooves, easily able to cause serious injury or death.
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by Sara
(Sweden)
Hi,
I'm have a question about moose in captivity.
If the male doesn't lose his antlers when he should and still hasn't lost then in April or May, what can we do?
Is there any way we can help him speeding up the process?
I've heard about saw off the antlers? Is that an option and how do that work in that case?
I have been looking for scientific articles about this but don't seem to find any.
Please let me know what you think.
Best regards, Sara
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by Wendi
(Saskatchewan, Canada)
I am wondering if moose have fleas. I recently was on a moose hunt and after handling a moose carcass, had bites in areas where fleas would likely bite - creases where clothes are tighter fitting . I am just wondering if I should check the bedding where I stayed. Possibly bed bugs? Geesh! Or maybe just black flies.
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by Tala Lakota
(TN)
Are moose territorial? I've seen a few other articles online some saying they are extremely territorial, some not at all, and some only during mating season, etc etc. Not helpful :-\ Hoping you can be :-)
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by Marlane
(Elk Valley)
Silver Moose
When we lived in BC, moose were regular visitors to our acreage... bedding down in the thistle patch right beside the house. One fall a momma brought her calf and he was a beautiful silver colour.
Is this colouring very common?
Do they remain silver or change to brown as they get older?
Late Addition: Here are some pictures of the silver moose calf I wrote you about. We lived in the south east corner of B.C. in the Elk Valley between the towns of Sparwood and Elkford.
Enjoy!!
Mark
"The Moose Man"
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by Bird Girl
(Arkansas)
I live in the NW corner of Arkansas and few days ago someone living in same town as I do posted a picture of a female moose and stated he saw her at one of the small lakes not far from here. I have never known moose to come this far South. Do you think it could be true or is he pulling a hoax?
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by Lisa
(Minnesota)
I found this antler while hiking in the mountains in Colorado. I am having a hard time identifying what type of antler this is. It appears to be the wrong shape for an elk, and far too big to be a deer. My uncle thinks it's a moose, what do you think? It's perplexing me.
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