Moose
Moose are quite common on the Homer side of Kachemak Bay. Cows and calves or yearlings are often seen in town and the surrounding area depending on the time of year. It is not at all uncommon for us to have a cow give birth in our neighborhood in the summer, or spend some time during the winter when the snow is deeper up the hill. Across the water in Kachemak Bay State Park there are no Moose as the terrain is much more mountainous and Black Bear populations are dense.
Moose are the largest members of the deer family and can reach up to 7 ft. tall at the shoulder. Bull moose can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds and cows get up to around 1,000 pounds. Even a small one of these big guys can eat up to 70 lbs. of vegetation every day. They are browsers rather than grazers, so they focus on eating low fiber, high calorie shoots and leaves rather than eating grass and hay like a cow or horse. |
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Bull Moose are known for their antlers, which differ from other members of the deer family in that they have a wide 'palm' of antler with many smaller spikes as opposed to the branching antlers of deer, elk, and caribou. The rack of a bull moose can grow up to 80 inches across, and is actually shed in the fall after mating season and regrown starting in spring.
Female moose are typically smaller than males, but are generally more dangerous as they are more often in populated areas and can be aggressive when protecting their young. Moose are responsible for more injuries to people than any other wild animal in North America. A cow will generally give birth to one calf, but twins are quite common as well if food is plentiful. Calves are born in the spring and will stay with the mother until just before she gives birth the next spring when the yearlings are run off and have to fend for themselves.
Moose generally don't have many predators besides people, but wolves and grizzly bears may attack an adult moose, and black bears will go after a moose calf if given the opportunity. Moose have even been known to be attacked by Orca when swimming to and from islands.
While moose may not be a species for us to view on a Lady of the Sea cruise, it is likely that if you spend much time in Homer or make the beautiful drive down from Anchorage you will get plenty of opportunities to view and photograph these wonderful creatures.
Female moose are typically smaller than males, but are generally more dangerous as they are more often in populated areas and can be aggressive when protecting their young. Moose are responsible for more injuries to people than any other wild animal in North America. A cow will generally give birth to one calf, but twins are quite common as well if food is plentiful. Calves are born in the spring and will stay with the mother until just before she gives birth the next spring when the yearlings are run off and have to fend for themselves.
Moose generally don't have many predators besides people, but wolves and grizzly bears may attack an adult moose, and black bears will go after a moose calf if given the opportunity. Moose have even been known to be attacked by Orca when swimming to and from islands.
While moose may not be a species for us to view on a Lady of the Sea cruise, it is likely that if you spend much time in Homer or make the beautiful drive down from Anchorage you will get plenty of opportunities to view and photograph these wonderful creatures.