Moose / Elk

Moose / Elk

(europeisk älg; Alces alces) The moose is the largest land mammal in our country. It is found throughout the country except on the island of Gotland. In the past 20-30 years, the moose population has increased significantly, and today we have a population of about 300,000 animals. The reasons for the increase are several, but regulation of hunting and more abundant food due to new forestry methods (clear-cutting) are the main ones. The male moose has the largest antlers at the age of 7-10 years and is then called a "kapital". Then the antlers decrease in size and are called "retur". There are two types of antlers: palmate antlers and cervine antlers.

Belongs to: Order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)
Family: Deer family (Cervidae)
Weight: Between 320-450 kg (bulls), in extreme cases up to 800 kg. Between 275-375 kg (cows).
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
Mating season: 1 September-October
Gestation period: ca 8 months
Calves: Born in May-June and weighs 8-15 kg at birth: usually 1 or 2 calves, which nurse for 7-8 months.
Älg
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