Large Mammal
Moose
Massive, majestic, Maine woods icon
Hi, Byron!
Byron arrived at the Wildlife Park just days after he was born. Game Wardens brought him here after finding him abandoned in Byron, Maine, the town he is named after. Because he could not survive on his own in the wild, Byron was placed in our care, where he receives specialized attention as part of one of the few facilities in North America with the expertise to successfully care for moose in captivity. At around 600 pounds, Byron is on the smaller side for a bull moose, but we do not tell him that.
The Range
Moose live statewide, but northern Maine’s mix of wetlands, rivers, ponds, lakes, and young forests makes it prime moose country—and the heart of their range.
The Deets
Maine has the largest moose population in the lower 48 states. By browsing selectively, moose help shape young forests and keep plant growth in balance. Bulls grow, and shed, their antlers every year. Antlers attract mates, show dominance, and grow at astonishing speeds: up to 8 inches in just 9 days.
Quick Facts
Average Size
Moose can stand up to 7 feet tall and stretch 9 feet long. Adult females (cows) average around 836 pounds, while adult males (bulls) tip the scales at over 1,100 pounds.
What's on the Menu
Moose are herbivores that can eat up to 35 pounds of leaves and twigs a day. In winter, they rely heavily on balsam fir. In warmer months, they snack on aquatic plants to get sodium – and may even lick salty runoff from roads.
The Look
Moose have thick dark coats, long legs, a big nose, and a distinctive shoulder hump. Both cows and bulls have a “bell” (that floppy skin under the neck), but bulls wear a larger, disk-shaped version.
