**Congrats to Snowsunflowers on FTF**

Here are 9 fun facts you may not have known about Moose!

1. Moose are huge

The average female weighs 771 lbs (350 kg) and the average males weigh 881 lbs (400 kg). They can get up to 1,800 lbs!

Their average length is just shy of 8’ to just under 10’ (2.4m to 3.2m). A bull moose’s antlers can spread up to six feet from end to end.

2. Bull moose shed their antlers each year 

A yearly cycle starts where the antlers begin to grow on bull moose in the Spring and continue growing until September when the velvet that covers the antlers dries and falls off. Moose often rub their antlers on trees which help the velvet come off. Eventually sometime between mid-November and March the antlers will fall off. (Which doesn’t hurt them by the way.)

3. Calves can grow quickly and outrun a person by the time they are 5 days old. 

A baby moose (called a calf) grows at an incredible pace during its first year of life. Calves are born in the spring, gain about one to two pounds a day, and later end up gaining five pounds a day!!

4. In the Algonquin language, moose means eater of twigs.

Yes, moose are herbivores! They must eat all day to fill up. They eat any kind of vegetation and require almost 10,000 calories each day. Like cows, moose have four-chambered stomachs. 
 

5. Moose are powerful swimmers.

A moose can dive 20 feet under water and stay under water for up to 30 seconds! They can also swim fairly fast considering their size: up to six miles an hour. Moose hair is hollow, which helps them stay afloat while swimming or while eating. It also helps to keep moose warm in the winter.

6. Moose can live up to 20 years. 

Many moose (more than 50%) are killed by predators like wolves or bear while they are still calves. However, if they can survive predators and hunters, they can live up to 20 years.

7. Moose only live in places that have snow cover in the winter. 

Moose prefer colder climates. They cannot take heat much over 80F (27C). During a hot summer day, you’ll see them in the water trying to cool off. 
 

8. Moose are part of the deer family.

Moose are the biggest member of the deer family. They are also the tallest mammals in North America.

9. A moose can kick in any direction with its front hooves. Chances are you may see a naughty moose here. Be careful on the roads and watch out for moose or other wildlife, especially at dusk or dawn. 


We hid this geocache here with permission from the owner. Be respectful of business hours. This is not a 24/7 geo. Please take extra caution to be stealth. This area has high mugglers. The cache may require TOTT to retrieve. Also, be cautious when replacing as there could be a sharp object. Please rehide as is, to not be seen. While you're here, stop and enjoy the area. Eat. Drink. Be merry, or naughty. And as always, happy caching!!

Moose facts can be found online thanks to https://www.northernontario.travel/sunset-country/interesting-facts-about-moose

http://knottymoosecabins.com/