Transcript Identifying Moose Behaviors in Snowy Environments In the

By Michael R. McHugh
Winter Ecology
Spring 2010
Mountain Research Station – University of Colorado, Boulder
 Colorado
Moose will
have similar behavior
than other “Typical”
Moose
 Objective:
• Moose Background
• Methods Used
• Results
• Winter Behaviors
• Discussion and Conclusion
 Alces alces
 Moose are the
largest
members of the deer
family
• Females: 800-1100lbs.
(CDOW, 2009)
• Males: 900-1200lbs.
(CDOW, 2009)
 Non-Native
to Colorado
• Introduced in 1978 near
North Park (CDOW, 2009)
 Colorado
is the southern
edge of moose’s range
 Locating
• Food Sources
 Willows and Saplings
• Watering Areas
 Accessible
• Bedding/ Tracks
 How old?
 Frequency
• Talk to local
 Stride
Length
 Bed Size
 Distance between
Beds
 Overall Size of
Bedding Area
 Clear
Drag
 Snow depths had
minimal impact
 Splitting between
objects
 Trail Following
 Cow
and Yearling were bedding in areas with
heavy cover within ten feet of each other
 Bull was in open willows within 40 feet of
closest bed
 Urine found in all beds
 Bed Sizes

Small Groupings
• Cows and calves
are common social
grouping
• Bulls are not
commonly part of
this social
grouping
Moose Spotted
"Typical Moose"
Mother W/
Yearling
Mother W/
Yearling and
Bull
 Diet
• Willow stems/buds,
leaves, bark, and shrubs
 ~11 lbs. per day (Young, 2000)
 Habitat
• Willow patches within
marshy mountain
meadows
Moose Spotted
"Typical Moose"
 Importance
of Snow Dynamics
• Snow density
• Air and Snow Temperatures
• Snow depth
 Adaptations
• Cloven Hooves
• “Yards”
• Trail following
Moose Spotted
Snow
Dynamics
Used Trail
Following
"Typical" Moose
Exact
footing
Yards
 This
data can be used for the
introduction of moose into other
non native states
 Adaptations have been made by
lower latitude moose
 I would like to look at behaviors
during all seasons of the year
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Lundmark, Caroline, and John P. Ball. "Living in Snowy Environments:
Quantifying the Influence of Snow on Moose Behavior." Arctic, Antarctic,
and Alpine Research 40.1 (2008): 111-18. Print.
United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Know Your Moose. Colorado
Division of Wildlife, 1 July 2009. Web. 19 Feb. 2010.
United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Moose. By David M.
Armstrong. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 18 Sept. 2009. Web. 19 Feb.
2010.
United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Moose on the Loose. By Mary
Taylor Young. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1 Sept. 2000. Web. 19 Feb.
2010.
United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Of Moose and Men. Colorado
Division of Wildlife, 1 July 2009. Web. 19 Feb. 2010.
United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Moose Haunts. Colorado
Division of Wildlife, 1 July 2009. Web. 19 Feb. 2010.
United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Northern Exposure. Colorado
Division of Wildlife, 2008. Web. 19 Feb. 2010.