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Maine’s state animal is the moose, the largest species in the deer family. Moose range in North America, northern Asia, and Europe, and Maine’s heavily forested land is excellent habitat. Moose can weigh up to 1,600 pounds and consume 45 kg of vegetation per day. They are not endangered, and licensed hunting is permitted. During mating season, males become aggressive. Moose are diurnal and best spotted early morning or sunset. Vehicle collisions with moose are common, and half result in injury to vehicle occupants.
Maine’s state animal is the moose, or Alces alces. The moose is the largest species in the cervid, or deer, family and the second largest land mammal in North America and Europe. Moose range freely in the boreal and deciduous forests of North America, northern Asia and Europe. Maine is excellent habitat for moose because it is the most heavily forested state in the United States, with more than 17 million acres of forests (about 6.9 million hectares of forest), covering nearly 90% of the land. The name “moose” comes from an Algonquin Indian term meaning “eater of twigs”.
An adult male moose could grow to weigh 1,600 pounds (727 kg) and reach a height of 6 feet (1.8 m); female cows are lighter and smaller. The moose is distinguished by its thick, fluffy fur; extremely high legs; camel-like muzzle; and, for males, its impressive rack of brown velvety antlers. An adult moose consumes about 45 kg of vegetation per day, migrating to a new territory in search of new plants. Although moose consume tree leaves, twigs and buds, half of their diet consists of aquatic plants to maintain its sodium requirement. During Maine winters, the state’s iconic land mammal is often seen on state roads licking up road salt.
Elk meat was once a common delicacy for New England fur trappers and trappers. In his work The Maine Woods, Henry David Thoreau compared his moose meal to something like tender beef or veal. Moose are not an endangered species and licensed hunting of the Maine state animal is permitted. Some estimates state that more than 1 million moose roam North American forests.
Although Maine’s ubiquitous state animal populates the forests, the moose prefers a quiet life until mating season. Males during the mating season in September and October become quite aggressive, charging at stunned tourists if they feel threatened. Moose have few predators and a life span of 20-25 years. Bears, wolves, and coyotes will attack moose, but moose rightly defend themselves with aggressive charges or antlers strikes. Moose can run up to 35 miles per hour (56.3 km/h) and swim 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h).
Moose are so predominant along Routes 16 and 201 in central Maine that the region has been called “Moose Alley.” These animals are diurnal and the best time to spot them is usually early morning or sunset. Moose have exceptional hearing and smell but poor eyesight. Motorists have their share of vehicle collisions with the Maine state animal, and research has indicated that approximately half of all moose collisions result in injury to vehicle occupants.
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