

The moose population in North America is estimated to be fewer than 1.5 million animals, with 1 million in Canada. In North America, the moose is found in Alaska, Canada, the northeastern United States and as far south as the rocky mountains in Colorado. In mid-winter and late winter, moose retreat to habitats with heavy forecast cover until they enter open areas in the spring again. Early winter produces a dramatic shift of moose into open habitats. The spring to summer change of season sees moose move into habitats characterized by heavy forest cover and that continues perhaps even more so during the fall-moose mating season. Spring is also the birthing season for the moose.

In spring, moose are found in open habitats like meadows and fields where the grazing is plentiful. Their sense of sight is not as good either, but they do still have a strong sense of hearing and smell. Moose have very few natural predators, and as such, they are not as keen to danger as many other members of the deer family. When it is cold, their hollow fur helps to insulate them and their wide hooves act like built-in snowshoes, helping the moose walk in the snow. They cannot tolerate temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit for long because they cannot sweat, and the fermentation caused by their digestion creates a large amount of heat, according to Animal Diversity Web (ADW), a database maintained by the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology. Moose live only in areas that have seasonal snow cover, for example, the four seasons. And that’s not even scratching the surface! Here’s everything to know about moose. There is plenty of information to know about the moose, from its predators and structure to its diet and habitat. Fun facts from the Moose Capital of Michigan Below, we will give you the insider scoop on where to spot moose as well as some facts you may not know about these large members of the deer family. With few roads through a great portion of this area, you’ll need to be an experienced hiker willing to go off the beaten path. With 15,000 rivers and streams, 53% of the County is made up of water. Luce County is 908 square miles (581,120 acres), with over 300,000 acres that are public access land. The area and terrain is a perfect setting for the lifestyle of the elusive species as they prefer areas associated with water, ponds and swamps. When spotted, most sightings occur in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park and north of Newberry. The tail makes up about a third of their total length.Though sightings are very rare, there are more moose sightings in Luce County than any other county in the state, making Newberry the Official Moose Capital of Michigan. Their playful snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, water play, and snow burrowing activities also serve other purposes-they help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques.Ī river otter can grow three to four feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) long including its tail and weigh between 11 and 30 pounds (5 to 14 kilograms). On land a river otter can run at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hour-they can slide even faster. Their fur is dark brown over much of the body, and lighter brown on the belly and face. They are very flexible and can make sharp, sudden turns that help them catch fish. North American river otters have long whiskers, which they use to detect prey in dark or cloudy water, and clawed feet for grasping onto slippery prey. They can stay underwater for as many as eight minutes. A long, strong tail helps propels the otter through the water. They have short legs, webbed feet for faster swimming, and a long, narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living.
