Moose are often seen on roads and in towns of Alaska, but they keep more hidden in forests and prairies on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. They can be found all the way from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts.
The moose is the largest American animal - a full-grown one will be about seven-feet high and weigh 1500 pounds or more. Its antlers are immense, rising from the top of the head and spreading out six feet or more. They look like two gigantic hands turned upward with an armor of spike-like “fingers.” They are a vicious weapon when a moose defends itself.
Because of its great size and strength, a healthy moose is not likely to be attacked by other animals. But if one is sick or weak from age, it is apt to become a victim of a hungry grizzly bear or pack of very hungry wolves.
The upper part of a moose’s muzzle hangs three or four inches over its chin. This muzzle has huge nostrils. A short coal-black triangular beard hangs from the neck. The ears are huge and, in contrast, its tail is just a short stub. Its coat is a deep brown, almost black color.
Sadly, the young calves are often the victims of wolves and other creatures when the parents are not close by. Only about half of these younger ones make it through their first year. But the mothers try to keep them from wandering off and have been seen helping them cross ponds too deep for their short legs by giving them piggyback rides all the way over.
Favorite foods include leaves and twigs of trees, as well as water lilies and other water plants. This is why they are often found wading in ponds or along lake shores.
Unlike most wild animals, a moose crossing a road or railroad track (sometimes alone and at other times a large group of them) usually pays no attention to traffic. It may even stop in the middle of a road or railroad track to watch a truck, car or train approaching it. Experienced drivers of trucks and private cars, as well as engineers of trains, are always alert to this when going through moose country, and many drive more slowly so they can stop in time to avoid a collision with them.
How interesting to look on these and other examples of the marvels of God’s creation and have the assurance that He had pleasure in creating and watching over them. Psalm 36:6,76Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast. 7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. (Psalm 36:6‑7) tells us, “O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God!” Another verse tells us, “His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all his goings.” Job 34:2121For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (Job 34:21). What does He see as He looks on you?
FEBRUARY 27, 1994
ML-02/27/1994