Naturalist Mark Fraser is back with us today. This time he is tracking moose.
(Image: Donna Dewhurst)
According to Mark:
"The moose is a fascinating and massive northern mammal. They are true survivors of the last Ice Age. With one glance, you will be awe-inspired by these amazing animals. They require clean northern forests, ponds and bogs as habitats to survive. Global warming is suspected to have decreased their numbers in some areas."
"Moose are herbivores and live on many plant species— everything from aquatic plants to young trees. In the Autumn during the " rut," the bulls have enormous antlers and will fight other bulls competing for the right to breed. This has allowed them to evolve into very large, powerful animals. During the "rut," the bulls can be dangerous. However, for most of the year, moose are a calm and gentle species."
"We need to ensure we protect habitat for this magnificent species so that future generations can appreciate these mammals."
To view more about Mark's adventures, and to read up on
conservation efforts, you can visit him at http://www.naturewalkswithmark.org
Mark's moose faq's:
- Moose are the worlds largest "cervids" and the bulls can reach a weight of 1400lbs.
- Moose are skilled swimmers.
- Moose can run in the forest quietly and up to 35 miles per hour.
- When there is abundant food, moose will often have twins. Looking for moose twins is one way to see if the population is healthy.
Tags: Animals
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