A Shiras moose, also known as a Wyoming moose or a western moose, is a subspecies of moose native to the western United States, including parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.
They have a dark brown coat and a distinctive hump on their shoulders. They are known to inhabit mountainous regions and are typically found near streams, lakes, and marshes.
About the Existence of Shiras Moose
Here is a sneak-peak into the existence of Shiras Moose:
Scientific name: Alces Alces Shirasi
Height: 1.4m – 2.1m OR 4.6ft – 6.8ft
Mass: 800 lbs to 1200 lbs (Adult Male), 600 lbs to 800 lbs (Adult Female).
Speed: 30mph OR 48.3kmph (Average speed), 35mph OR 56.3kmph (Top Speed)
Conservation status: Western Moose or Wyoming Moose.
Eaten by: Humans (For Meat and Antlers)
Lifespan: 10-15 years.
Predators: Bears (Grizzly and Black), Wolves and Mountain Lions.
Symbolism: Power, Wisdom, and Longevity
Mating season: Fall, from September to October.
Top 3 Fun Facts About Shiras Moose
Here are the top 3 fun facts about Shiras Moose:
- Shiras moose are known for their impressive antlers, reaching up to 4 feet wide on adult males. These antlers are shed and regrown each year and are used primarily for displays of dominance during the breeding season.
- Shiras moose are excellent swimmers and are known to swim across lakes and rivers to reach new areas. They can also hold their breath for up to 30 seconds while submerged.
- Shiras moose are known to be highly vocal animals, with various calls used for different purposes such as mating, warning, and aggression. Their calls can include bellows, grunts, and whistles, which can be heard up to a mile away.
Shiras Moose: Range and Distribution
They are primarily found in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas such as the northern Great Basin, the northern Great Plains, and the northern Intermountain region.
Shiras moose are found primarily in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah in the United States. Still, they can also be found in other states such as Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico. Their range extends into Canada, where they are found in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
The distribution and range of Shiras moose have fluctuated over time due to a variety of factors, including habitat loss and overhunting. However, conservation efforts have helped to stabilize and even increase the population in some areas.
Today, Shiras moose are considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to the stable population with a wide range.
It is important to note that the range and distribution of Shiras moose can vary depending on the specific location and population and factors such as weather, predators, and human activity.
Shiras Moose Weight and Habitat
a) Smallest subspecies of moose in weight
Shiras moose are the smallest subspecies of moose and typically weigh between 800 and 1,200 pounds. Adult males are typically larger than adult females, with males weighing between 800-1200 pounds and females between 600-800 pounds.
These are average weight ranges, and individual moose can weigh more or less depending on various factors such as genetics, diet, and habitat.
b) Shiras Moose Habitat
The Shiras moose are found primarily in the western United States and Canada, specifically in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas.
They are well adapted to survive in cold and snowy climates and are typically found in coniferous and mixed-coniferous forests and alpine tundra.
About Morphology and Behavior: Shiras Moose
● Morphology
Shiras Moose are large, ungulate mammals with bulky bodies, long legs, and large, drooping noses.
Their fur is dark brown to black, with a thick undercoat that helps them to stay warm in cold climates. They also have a distinctive hump on their shoulders, made up of muscle for carrying their large antlers and head.
Shiras moose are known for their large, drooping nose, which is used for detecting scents and foraging for food. They also have large ears, which can rotate independently, allowing them to detect sounds from all directions.
They are well adapted to survive in cold and snowy climates, and their large hooves help them to move through deep snow and marshy terrain.
It’s important to note that the specific morphology of Shiras moose can vary depending on the location. The population may be affected by genetics, diet, and habitat.
● Behavior
Shiras moose are generally solitary animals, with the exception of females with young or during the breeding season. They are mostly active during the early morning and late evening and spend most of the day resting in secluded areas such as thickets and swamps.
They are known for their aggressive behavior when threatened or during the breeding season. During the breeding season, males will engage in aggressive behavior, such as sparring with other males and chasing females.
The males will also emit a loud bellow, which can be heard for miles, to attract females and assert dominance over other males.
Shiras moose are also known for their strong territorial behavior and will defend their territory against other moose and other animals. They will mark their territory by rubbing their antlers on trees and bushes and leaving their scent using their preorbital glands.
They are also good swimmers and often cross rivers and lakes to escape predators or find new food sources.
Shiras moose are known to be sensitive to human disturbance and often avoid areas with high human activity. They are also known to migrate to high-elevation meadows in the summer to escape the heat and insects and then return to lower elevations in the winter.
It’s important to note that the specific behavior of Shiras moose can vary depending on the location. The population may be affected by human activity, hunting pressure, and environmental factors.
Shiras Moose Size: How Big Do Shiras Moose Get
Adult males typically weigh between 800-1,200 pounds and stand about 5-6 feet tall at the shoulder. Adult females are smaller, weighing between 600-800 pounds and standing about 4-5 feet tall at the shoulder. However, it is important to note that this can vary depending on location and diet.
For example, Shiras Moose in Alaska tend to be larger than those found in the lower 48 states due to the abundance of food and lack of hunting pressure.
Shiras Moose living in areas with abundant food sources, such as moist, productive boreal forests, tend to be larger than those in more arid regions.
Additionally, moose that have access to high-quality forage, such as young willow and aspen shoots, tend to be larger than those that do not.
Another example, Shiras moose living in Yellowstone National Park have smaller body sizes than moose living in the nearby Teton Wilderness due to limited food resources and higher competition in the park.
Shiras Moose Antler: Importance and Size
The antlers of a Shiras moose are made of bone and covered in velvety skin. They are shed and regrown yearly, typically in the late winter or early spring.
The antlers are used primarily for displays of dominance during the breeding season, and males with larger antlers are more likely to attract females successfully and defend their territory.
Shiras moose are known for their impressive antlers. Adult males typically have antlers that can reach up to 4 feet wide (Almost 45 inches).
The size and shape of the antlers can vary depending on the age and health of the moose, as well as environmental factors such as nutrition and genetics.
It’s important to note that the antler size can vary depending on the specific population and location of the Shiras moose, as well as factors such as diet and genetics.
Some studies have shown that moose with access to higher-quality food sources tend to have larger antlers than those without.
Why Are Shiras Moose Important?
They are considered keystone species because they play an important role in shaping the environment and supporting other species. Some of the importance of Shiras moose are:
- Ecological roles: They are considered a primary consumer, eating a wide variety of plants, including willow, aspen, and birch, which in turn help to shape the composition of plant communities. They also provide food for predators such as bears and wolves.
- Cultural significance: Moose have been an important part of the culture and history of many indigenous people of North America. They are also popular as a hunting game species and a wildlife viewing opportunity for many visitors.
- Ecotourism: Moose are also an important source of income for many communities through ecotourism, as people come from all over to see them in their natural habitat.
- Biodiversity: Moose are an important part of the biodiversity of the areas where they are found, and their presence can positively impact other species in the ecosystem.
It’s worth noting that conservation efforts have helped to stabilize and even increase the population of Shiras moose in some areas. However, their populations are still vulnerable to human activities such as habitat loss, over-hunting, and climate change.
Shiras Moose Hunt: Is it Illegal?
Shiras moose hunting is legal in some provinces in America and Canada, but it is subject to regulations and quotas set by the respective provincial government.
The regulations may include hunting seasons, specific hunting areas, and limits on the number of moose that can be hunted.
But on the other hand, if you happen to hunt a Shiras Moose outside the law, then there are penalties that you may face.
The penalty for illegal hunting of Shiras moose in America and Canada can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the violation. Illegal hunting can result in fines, imprisonment, and revocation of hunting and fishing licenses.
Penalties can also include forfeiture of hunting equipment and vehicles used in the commission of the crime.
The severity of the penalty will depend on the specifics of the violation, such as whether it was a first-time offense or if the individual has a prior hunting conviction, if the animal was killed or just wounded, if the hunting was done with weapons or traps, or if the hunting was done during closed seasons, etc.
Shiras Moose vs Alaskan Moose
Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) is one of the smallest subspecies of the North American moose (Alces alces) and is generally smaller than the Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas), which is the largest subspecies of moose found in North America.
Shiras moose typically weigh between 800 and 1,200 pounds and stand up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall at the shoulder. Adult males have large, palmate antlers, which can spread up to 4 feet (1.2 meters). Adult females typically do not have antlers.
On the other hand, Alaskan moose are the largest subspecies of moose found in North America, with adult males typically weighing between 1,200 and 1,800 pounds and standing up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall at the shoulder.
Adult males have large, palmate antlers, which can spread up to 6 feet (1.8 meters). In this species, adult females also typically do not have antlers.
Shiras Moose vs Yukon Moose
Shiras Moose and the Yukon moose are both subspecies of the North American moose (Alces alces) found in North America. However, they are found in different geographical regions and have distinct differences in size and characteristics.
The Shiras moose are found primarily in the western United States and Canada, specifically in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas.
They are the smallest subspecies of moose and typically weigh between 800 and 1,200 pounds and stand up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder. Adult males have large, palmate antlers, which can spread up to 4 feet.
On the other hand, the Yukon moose is found primarily in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and British Columbia in Canada.
They are considered larger than the Shiras moose, typically weigh between 1,200 and 1,500 pounds, and stand up to 7 feet tall at the shoulder. Adult males have large, palmate antlers, which can spread up to 6 feet.
FAQ
What Are Shiras Moose Populations Around the World?
Shiras moose population is considered stable, but it is considered a “species of concern” in some states and provinces. The exact population size of Shiras moose is difficult to determine because they are found in remote and rugged areas, making monitoring and counting difficult.
However, estimates from various states and provinces put the population of Shiras moose in the tens of thousands.
Are they endangered?
Shiras moose is not considered an endangered species but a “species of concern” in some states and provinces in North America.
This means that the population is considered stable but monitored closely due to potential threats such as habitat loss, disease, and hunting pressure.
The populations of Shiras moose have been affected over the years by factors such as habitat destruction, hunting, and competition with other ungulate species.
However, conservation efforts have been put in place to protect and conserve the population of Shiras moose in their natural habitat.
What is the Largest Shiras Moose Found till Now?
John M. Oakley of Cheyenne, Wyoming, caught the record-breaking Shiras moose. This Moose was shot during the 1952 season near Green River Lake, Wyoming, and scored 204-4/8 points.
Conclusion
The Shiras moose was first described by naturalist George Shiras III in 1892, based on specimens collected in the western United States.
Shiras’ discovery of the Shiras moose subspecies was based on his observation and analysis of physical characteristics such as size, antler size, and coloration, as well as on the geographical location of the specimens.
His discovery was later confirmed by other naturalists and wildlife biologists, who also observed distinct differences between the Shiras moose and other subspecies of North American moose.
1 thought on “Shiras Moose: Colorado’s Largest Big Game Animal”