Female moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
© Cavan Images/Alamy Stock Photo
A wild stare
Have you ever experienced the awe of seeing an Alaskan moose? The largest moose species, these creatures can weigh between 317 and 635 kilograms, reaching heights of up to 2 metres at the shoulder. Male moose are called bulls, females are known as cows and their young are referred to as calves. One thing that sets moose apart is their incredible antlers, which are only sported by the males.
Pictured here is a cow in Denali National Park, where around 1,800 moose roam the forested areas near lakes and marshes north of the Alaska Range in the United States. Denali's largest herbivores, these mammals feast on willow, birch and aspen twigs during the winter. When summer rolls around, they enjoy a diverse diet of flowering plants, pond vegetation and deciduous leaves. While moose aren't usually aggressive, they can turn hostile if they feel bothered by people, dogs or traffic—especially when they're tired or hungry in winter, struggling through deep snow. Bull moose may also become quite aggressive during mating season in autumn and winter, especially when startled. As for cows and calves, they typically only attack if someone gets too close. So, best to admire these giants from a safe distance!