How Tall Is A Moose Compared To A Human is a question many people ask, and COMPARE.EDU.VN is here to provide a detailed comparison. Understanding the size difference between moose and humans can be fascinating and essential for safety in moose country. Explore the comprehensive analysis below, uncovering intriguing facts and size comparisons.
1. Moose Size Comparison by Subspecies
Moose are impressive creatures, and their size varies by subspecies. North America is home to four main types of moose: Alaska, Northwestern, Eastern, and Shiras. These subspecies inhabit diverse regions, from the northeastern United States to the Rocky Mountains and up through Canada and Alaska.
1.1 Alaska Moose (Alces alces gigas)
The Alaska moose, also known as the Yukon moose, is the largest moose subspecies in the world. These giants reside in the boreal and mixed deciduous forests of Alaska and the western Yukon. They primarily feed on forbs, willow, and birch shoots. Male Alaska moose, or bulls, typically stand just under 7 feet at the shoulder and weigh between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds. Females can exceed 1,000 pounds.
The antlers of Alaska moose are equally impressive. The largest bull on record, according to Safari Club International (SCI), was taken in 1999 near Cordova, Alaska. It weighed 1,800 pounds and had a 74 2/8-inch antler spread, with 39 total points, scoring 731 ⅛ inches on the SCI scale. In comparison, an average whitetail deer is about 71 inches long, meaning one could fit comfortably within this moose’s antlers.
The largest Alaska moose recorded in the Boone & Crockett (B&C) books came from the Lower Yukon River in Alaska. This bull, shot in 2010 with a 300 Win Mag, scored 266-4/8 inches in B&C measurements.
1.2 Northwestern Moose (Alces alces andersoni)
The Northwestern moose, also called the Western moose, inhabits the boreal forests of western Canada and parts of Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. They were also introduced to New Zealand. This subspecies is the second-largest in North America, closely following the Alaska moose. Northwestern moose can stand over 6½ feet tall at the shoulder and weigh nearly 1,600 pounds. These massive animals consume approximately 10,000 calories daily, equivalent to around 70 pounds of vegetation.
The largest Northwestern moose in the SCI record books was taken in the Cassiar Mountains of British Columbia in 1998. It scored 557 inches with a 64-2/8-inch outside spread, featuring 12 points on one antler and 10 on the other.
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 male Eastern moose can weigh up to 1,400 pounds and stand 6 feet tall at the shoulder. Hunting tags are available in the continental U.S., but the drawing odds can be challenging. Hunters seeking over-the-counter tags may consider Newfoundland and other parts of eastern Canada.
The biggest Eastern moose in the SCI books was shot in Quebec, Canada, in 2011. This massive animal scored 666 3/8 inches and had 20 points on each antler, surpassing the next largest Eastern moose by 175 inches.
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. They are the smallest of the North American moose subspecies, but still impressively sized. 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 a hunter in Washington in 2018. The bull weighed between 650 and 700 pounds and scored 504 7/8 inches. The B&C record Shiras moose was taken in Green River Lake, Wyoming, in 1952 and scored 205 4/8 points on the B&C scale.
2. How Big Are Moose Compared to Other Animals?
Understanding the size of a moose becomes clearer when compared to other animals. Here are a few comparisons to illustrate their impressive stature.
2.1 Compared to an Elephant
An average male Alaska moose, standing nearly 7 feet tall and weighing 1,600 pounds, is considerably smaller than the largest land animal, the African elephant. Elephants can grow up to 13 feet tall and weigh between 5,000 and 14,000 pounds.
2.2 Compared to Bison
Bison, while not as tall as moose, can be heavier. However, the weight difference isn’t substantial, particularly when considering the record-breaking Alaska moose that weighed 1,800 pounds. Bison typically grow to around 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet at the shoulder.
2.3 Compared to Elk
Moose significantly outweigh and outsize elk. A large elk might weigh just over 1,000 pounds with a shoulder height of around 5 feet tall. This is roughly the size of a female Alaska moose. Even a male Shiras moose is larger than a male elk.
2.4 Compared to a Horse
The average quarter horse is similar in size to a male Shiras moose, weighing around 1,200 pounds. Interestingly, a man in New Brunswick named John Connell famously saddled and rode a moose regularly in the early 1900s. The largest horse ever, an English shire gelding named Sampson, weighed 3,359 pounds and stood 7 feet 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder, making him slightly shorter than the largest Alaska moose on record.
3. Moose vs. Human Size Comparison
When comparing moose to humans, the size differences are striking. Let’s delve into the specifics of height and weight.
3.1 Height Comparison
The tallest human ever recorded, Robert Pershing Wadlow, stood at 8 feet 11 inches, surpassing the tallest moose ever measured at 7 feet 7 inches. However, when comparing the average height of a human to the average male moose, the moose is about a foot taller.
3.2 Weight Comparison
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. Newborn Alaska moose weigh about 28 pounds, similar to a 3-year-old child. Moose grow rapidly, initially gaining 2 pounds per day and later 5 pounds per day. In contrast, the average human child gains about 5 pounds per year between the ages of 2 and 5.
4. Five Cool Facts About Moose
Beyond their impressive size, moose possess several fascinating characteristics. Here are five cool facts about these remarkable animals.
4.1 Rapid Antler Growth
Moose antlers are among the fastest-growing animal tissues on Earth. They shed their antlers annually, like other deer species. The regrowth is exceptionally rapid, with moose adding up to a pound of antler per day and up to 80 pounds over a single summer.
4.2 Higher Injury Rate Than Bears
Surprisingly, moose injure more people than bears do. This isn’t due to aggression but rather their large size and territorial nature. With a higher population than bears in many regions, such as Alaska, moose injure five to ten people annually, surpassing injuries from both grizzly and black bear attacks.
4.3 Largest Deer Species
Moose are the largest members of the deer family. To equal the weight of one male moose, you would need 53 South American pudus, the smallest deer species. On average, moose weigh about ten times more than the average whitetail deer.
4.4 Early Speed and Agility
Moose calves develop quickly to survive in the wild, where they face numerous predators. Just five days after birth, a moose calf can outrun a human, exceeding the average human top speed of 8 miles per hour. Adult moose can charge at speeds of around 35 mph for short distances, which is faster than the speed limit in New York City and quicker than Usain Bolt’s average pace when setting the 100-meter dash world record.
4.5 Poor Eyesight, Excellent Senses
Moose have poor eyesight but compensate with exceptional senses of smell and hearing. Research indicates that moose can differentiate smells and determine their direction using their large nostrils and sensitive nasal cavities. Additionally, scientists believe that the dish-shaped antlers of male moose amplify the sounds of calling females, enhancing their hearing during mating season.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
5.1 How tall is an average moose compared to a human?
An average male moose stands about a foot taller than the average human.
5.2 What is the weight difference between a moose and a human?
The heaviest moose on record weighed around 1,800 pounds, while the heaviest human weighed approximately 1,400 pounds.
5.3 Which moose subspecies is the largest?
The Alaska moose, also known as the Yukon moose, is the largest moose subspecies in the world.
5.4 How fast can a moose run?
Adult moose can charge at speeds of around 35 mph for short distances.
5.5 Do moose have good eyesight?
No, moose have poor eyesight but compensate with excellent senses of smell and hearing.
5.6 Where do Shiras moose live?
Shiras moose inhabit the Rocky Mountains of the western U.S. and Canada.
5.7 How much does a newborn Alaska moose weigh?
A newborn Alaska moose weighs about 28 pounds, similar to a 3-year-old child.
5.8 How much vegetation does a Northwestern moose consume daily?
Northwestern moose consume approximately 10,000 calories per day, equivalent to around 70 pounds of vegetation.
5.9 What is unique about moose antlers?
Moose antlers are among the fastest-growing animal tissues on Earth, with moose adding up to a pound of antler per day.
5.10 Are moose dangerous to humans?
Moose can be dangerous due to their large size and territorial nature, and they injure more people than bears in some regions.
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