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 Photo by: D. Robert Franz |
Moose
Alces alces
Habitat: Introduced in Colorado, moose are inhabitants of boreal forest edge and openings in forests adjacent to water. They are dependent on early successional stages in areas that have been recently burned, logged, or manipulated by beavers (Wolfe 1974).
Diet: Daily forage intake (dry weight) is estimated to be 5 kg in winter and about 11 kg in warmer months. Typical moose range in the Rocky Mountains includes a mixture of willow, spruce, fir, aspen, or birch. Willows are a winter staple on many western ranges (Peek 1974). During spring, summer, and fall, moose also utilize a variety of herbaceous vegetation including grasses, sedges, aquatic emergents, and forbs.
Description: Largest of the cervids, moose are black, chocolate brown, or reddish brown with paler legs and belly. The winter pelage is grayer. Calves are reddish or rusty and lack the white spots characteristic of other young cervids. The long hair is coarse, brittle, and longer on the neck and shoulders than elsewhere. The front legs are longer than the hindlegs, creating a sloping back. There are four hooves on each foot; two are reduced in size and elevated as dewclaws. The large head has a long, broad muzzle and a heavy, bulbous nose pad. A fold of skin, the "bell" or dewlap, dangles from the throat region. Ears are large and erect. The tail is short and inconspicuous.
Range in Colorado: The habitat of the original introduced herd in North Park was willow and lodgepole pine at an elevation of 2,700 to 2,850 m (8,850-9,350 ft). Since then, animals from this population have been reported in several adjacent areas, including Middle Park, the upper reaches of the Laramie and Cache la Poudre rivers, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Other sightings have been reported in South Park, near Leadville, near Gunnison, near Yampa, and west of Denver.
Status: CDOW Big Game, CDOW WRIS Species
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