Are you curious about how imposing a moose is compared to a human? The size of a moose, particularly when compared to a human, is a fascinating topic. At COMPARE.EDU.VN, we offer detailed comparisons to help you visualize these differences. Understanding the scale of these majestic creatures can highlight their impressive presence in the wild and inform hunters about their relative sizes. Explore moose versus human dimensions, moose weight, and general moose facts for a comprehensive understanding.
1. Moose Size Comparison by Subspecies
Moose subspecies vary in size, influencing their physical presence. These variations are essential for those studying wildlife or planning hunting expeditions. All over the globe, Moose generally thrive in colder northern climates. Here, we break down these subspecies to give you a clearer picture of their unique characteristics.
1.1 Alaska Moose (Alces alces gigas)
The Alaska moose, also known as the Yukon moose, is the largest of all moose subspecies. These giants inhabit the boreal and mixed deciduous forests of Alaska and the Western Yukon, thriving on forbs, willow, and birch shoots. Mature bulls often stand just under 7 feet at the shoulder, weighing between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds, while females can exceed 1,000 pounds.
One of the most impressive features of the Alaska moose is its enormous antlers. According to Safari Club International (SCI) records, the largest bull was taken in September 1999 near Cordova, Alaska, by Debra Card. This massive animal weighed 1,800 pounds—nearly the weight of two grand pianos—and had antlers with a 74 2/8-inch spread and 39 total points, scoring 731 ⅛ inches on the SCI scale. To put this into perspective, an average whitetail doe is 71 inches long, meaning it could fit comfortably within the antlers of Card’s moose.
The largest Alaska moose recorded in the Boone & Crockett (B&C) books was found in the Lower Yukon River area of Alaska. Rex J. Nick shot the 266-4/8-inch B&C bull using a 300 Win Mag in 2010, surpassing the previous record by just 2-7/8 points, underscoring the consistency of immense size within this subspecies.
1.2 Northwestern Moose (Alces alces andersoni)
The Northwestern moose, also known as the Western moose, inhabits the boreal forests of western Canada and parts of Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. They have also been introduced to New Zealand. As the second-largest moose subspecies in North America, Northwestern moose can measure over 6½ feet at the shoulder and weigh close to 1,600 pounds. These large moose consume approximately 10,000 calories per day, equivalent to about 70 pounds of vegetation.
The largest Northwestern moose in the SCI record books was taken by Doug Rehbein in 1998 in the Cassiar Mountains of British Columbia. This bull scored 557 inches with a 64-2/8-inch outside spread. Surprisingly, it had only 12 points on one antler and 10 on the other, demonstrating that antler size can vary even among the largest specimens.
1.3 Eastern Moose (Alces alces americana)
Eastern moose are found in Maine, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. Large eastern bulls can weigh up to 1,400 pounds and stand 6 feet at the shoulder. Hunting tags for eastern moose are available in the continental U.S., but the drawing odds can be challenging. Those looking for more accessible options can explore Newfoundland and other parts of eastern Canada.
The largest eastern moose in the SCI books was shot in 2011 by Jeremy Boileau. This massive animal scored 666 3/8 inches and had 20 points on each antler. Boileau harvested the bull with a rifle in Quebec, Canada, surpassing the next biggest eastern moose by 175 inches, highlighting the impressive size potential within this subspecies.
1.4 Shiras Moose (Alces alces shirasi)
Shiras moose inhabit the southernmost regions of moose country in North America, residing in the Rocky Mountains of the western U.S. and Canada. These are the smallest moose in North America, but they are still formidable animals. Shiras bulls can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and stand 6 feet at the shoulder.
The SCI record for the largest Shiras moose was set by Jim Hall in Washington in 2018. This bull weighed between 650 and 700 pounds and scored 504 7/8 inches. John M. Oakley took the B&C record Shiras with a .270 in 1952, harvesting the bull in Green River Lake, Wyoming, where it scored 205 4/8 points on the B&C scale.
2. How Big Are Moose Compared to Other Animals?
Understanding how moose measure up against other animals can provide a clearer sense of their size and scale. From elephants to horses, these comparisons illustrate the moose’s place in the animal kingdom. Here’s a detailed look at how moose compare to other animals:
2.1 Compared to an Elephant
Compared to an elephant, an average bull Alaska moose appears significantly smaller. Reaching nearly 7 feet tall and weighing approximately 1,600 pounds, a bull Alaska moose is dwarfed by the largest land animal, the African elephant. These elephants can grow up to 13 feet tall and weigh between 5,000 and 14,000 pounds, showcasing a substantial difference in both height and weight.
2.2 Compared to Bison
Bison and moose have comparable sizes, though bison tend to be heavier. While bison do not grow as tall as moose, they can weigh more. The average bison can weigh around 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet at the shoulder. Debra Card’s record Alaska moose, which weighed 1,800 pounds, nearly matches the weight of an average bison, making the size difference marginal.
2.3 Compared to Elk
Bull moose significantly outweigh and outsize bull elk. A large elk typically weighs just over 1,000 pounds and stands around 5 feet tall at the shoulder. This size is comparable to a female Alaska moose. Even a bull Shiras moose, which is the smallest North American moose subspecies, is larger than a bull elk, demonstrating the moose’s superior size.
2.4 Compared to a Horse
The average quarter horse is similar in size to a bull Shiras moose, both weighing around 1,200 pounds. An interesting historical fact is that a New Brunswick man named John Connell famously saddled and regularly rode a moose in the early 1900s. The largest horse ever recorded was an English Shire gelding named Sampson, born in Bedfordshire, U.K., in 1846. Sampson weighed an impressive 3,359 pounds and stood 7 feet 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder, making him only a few inches shorter than the tallest Alaska bull moose on record.
3. Moose vs. Human Size Comparison
Comparing moose to humans provides a relatable understanding of their impressive stature. Consider height and weight to appreciate their physical dominance.
When it comes to height, the tallest human ever recorded, Robert Pershing Wadlow, stood 8 feet 11 inches tall, surpassing the tallest moose ever recorded, which measured 7 feet 7 inches tall. However, when compared to the average height of a human, the average bull moose exceeds it by about a foot.
In terms of weight, the heaviest moose on record weighed approximately 1,800 pounds, exceeding the heaviest human, Jon Brower Minnoch, who weighed around 1,400 pounds at his peak, by about 400 pounds.
Newborn Alaska moose weigh around 28 pounds, which is approximately the same as a 3-year-old child. After birth, moose grow rapidly, gaining about 2 pounds per day initially and later increasing to 5 pounds per day. In contrast, the average human child gains about 5 pounds per year between the ages of 2 and 5, illustrating the dramatic difference in growth rates.
4. Five Cool Facts About Moose
Here are five interesting facts about moose:
4.1 Moose Antlers Are Among the Fastest-Growing Animal Tissues on Earth
Like other deer species, moose shed their antlers annually. However, what sets moose antlers apart is their rapid regrowth rate. Moose can add up to a pound of bone per day, accumulating as much as 80 pounds over the course of a summer, making them the fastest-growing bone tissues in the animal kingdom.
4.2 Moose Injure More People Than Bears Do
While bears often capture public attention due to their perceived danger, moose actually injure more people annually. Moose are not inherently aggressive but can be territorial, and their large size makes them capable of causing unintentional harm. In Alaska, for example, moose injure five to ten people each year on average, surpassing the number of injuries caused by both grizzly and black bear attacks combined.
4.3 They Are the Biggest of All Deer
Moose are the largest deer species in the world. To illustrate this size difference, it would take 53 South American pudus—the smallest deer species—to equal the weight of one bull moose. On average, moose weigh around ten times more than the average whitetail deer, highlighting their significant size advantage.
4.4 A Five-Day-Old Moose Calf Can Outrun a Human
Moose calves grow rapidly in the wild to evade predators. Just five days after birth, a moose calf can run faster than the average human top speed of 8 miles per hour. Adult moose can charge at speeds of up to 35 mph for short distances. That’s 10 mph faster than the speed limit in New York City and 8 mph faster than Usain Bolt’s average pace when he set the 100-meter dash world record.
4.5 They Have Terrible Eyesight
Moose have poor eyesight but compensate with exceptional senses of smell and hearing. Research indicates that moose can differentiate smells and determine their directions using their large nostrils and sensitive nasal cavities. Scientists also believe that the dish-shaped antlers of moose amplify the sounds of calling females, aiding solitary bulls in locating mates during the breeding season.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about moose size and comparisons:
- How tall is the average moose?
- The average bull moose stands about 6 to 7 feet tall at the shoulder, depending on the subspecies.
- How much does a moose typically weigh?
- Moose can weigh between 800 to 1,600 pounds, with the Alaska moose being the heaviest.
- Are moose bigger than elk?
- Yes, moose are generally larger and heavier than elk.
- How fast can a moose run?
- Moose can run up to 35 miles per hour in short bursts.
- How do moose compare to horses in size?
- Moose are similar in size to quarter horses, with some horses being larger than smaller moose subspecies.
- How do moose use their antlers?
- Moose use their antlers primarily for display during mating season and for defense.
- How do moose find mates?
- Moose rely on their strong senses of smell and hearing to locate mates, as their eyesight is poor.
- What do moose eat?
- Moose primarily eat forbs, willow, and birch shoots, consuming large quantities of vegetation daily.
- How many people do moose injure annually?
- In Alaska, moose injure about 5 to 10 people each year, more than bears.
- How fast do moose antlers grow?
- Moose antlers can grow up to a pound of bone per day, making them some of the fastest-growing animal tissues.
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