The Eastern Moose is a subspecies of Moose

Moose

The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...

 that ranges from Eastern Ontario, all of Quebec, all of the Maritime Provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island,and Newfoundland and Labrador. It also ranges in the United States in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut,and northern New York State. Eastern Moose inhabit boreal forests and mixed deciduous forests throughout New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edwards Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Maine,New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and northern New York State which helps them camouflage from predators such as wolves and humans. The Eastern Moose is the third largest subspecies of moose,behind the Western Moose and the Alaska Moose. Male Eastern Moose along with all the other moose species are extremely aggressive during mating season and will attack or kill anything that provokes it.

Habitat, range, and distribution

The Eastern Moose ranges throughout most of the Eastern part of Canada and most of the New England states and the northern part of New York State. The population of the Eastern Moose is rapidly increasing due to the fact that its habitat is vastly undeveloped and the Eastern Moose has a population of about 350,000 individuals which about 3/4 of them mate every autumn and winter, and a moose becomes sexually mature at one year old. The only Eastern Moose that do not mate are bull moose that lose to another bull moose for breeding rights.

Diet

Eastern Moose have a diet of any Moose species which includes terrestrial vegetation forbs and shoots from trees such as willow and birch. Eastern Moose can consume 9970 Calories a day which is 32 kg. Eastern Moose also eat aquatic plants such as lilies and pondweed. Eastern Moose also lick salt on the side of roads used for snow and ice melter. Like other moose species, Eastern Moose lack upper front teeth but have eight sharp incisors on their lower jaw.

Size and weight

Male Eastern Moose stand on average 1.7-2.0m (5–7 ft) at the shoulder. Eastern Moose antlers have an average span of about 1.5m (5–6 ft) across. The weight of a male Eastern Moose averages about 634 kg (1,396 lbs). Female Eastern Moose stand on average 1.7m (5–6 ft) at the shoulder and weigh 270–260 kg (600-800 lbs). Eastern Moose are the third largest subspecies of moose only behind the Western Moose

Western Moose

The Western Moose is a subspecies of Moose that ranges from British Columbia, to Western Ontario, eastern Yukon, Northwest Territories, southwestern Nunavut, Michigan , northern Wisconsin, northern Minnesota, and northeastern North Dakota...

 and the Alaska Moose

Alaska Moose

The Alaska Moose is a subspecies of Moose that ranges from Alaska to western Yukon. The Alaska Moose is the largest subspecies of moose. Alaska Moose inhabit boreal forests and mixed deciduous forests throughout most of Alaska and most of Western Yukon...

.

Social structure and reproduction

Eastern Moose are solitary most of the year and only come into contact with another individual either to mate or for two bull moose to fight for breeding rights. Along with other moose species, bull Eastern Moose have high testosterone levels and will attack anything that provokes or scares it. This includes humans, wolves, elk, and bears. Confrontations often come out with deadly results. Female Eastern Moose are mostly peaceful towards humans unless she has calves with her. She will attack anything that is within her territory. During a fight between two bulls, they both take the risk of getting their antlers locked. This results in a slow, painful death from starvation. Along with other moose species, male Eastern Moose use mating calls to attract females to mate with or to challenge another bull moose for mating rights. At 10–11 months yearling moose are chased off by their mothers to fend for themselves.

Hunting

Every year in autumn and winter Eastern Moose are hunted for food and sport. The Eastern Moose population is increasing rapidly and hunting controls the Eastern Moose population. With 350,000 individuals and 3/4 of them breeding every year causes a big problem for people living in the habitat of the Eastern Moose. Hunters use both bows and arrows and guns to hunt Eastern Moose. Hunters are only allowed to hunt male moose becausethe female moose might be pregnant when killed.