Habitat and Diet
Moose prefer cool climates and inhabit various types of forests in the Northern Hemisphere. During warmer summer months, areas near water are desirable.
Moose eat a variety of different plants. Available vegetation depending on season dictates their diet. Leaves and small branches of trees and shrubs are common food choices (called "browse") for much of the year. Because they have no upper front teeth, one browsing method is to grip a branch and pull sideways to strip off all the leaves with their tough lips and tongue.
Areas previously burned by forest fires with new growth of small trees and shrubs provide good browsing areas for moose. It is possible the increased control of forest fires by humans has inhibited availability of these areas.
In summer months, water plants such as pondweed and certain types of pond lilies attract moose to lakes and streams. It is now believed the high sodium content of water plants is significant for their diet. It is common to see moose standing in water with only their heads exposed. They may disappear completely when lowering their head to pull up the soft plants. Moose have even been known to dive as deep as 18 feet to grasp the plants they desire!
Cold winter seasons force moose to rely on browse with lower nutritional value. By instinct, they concentrate on eating late in the fall following the mating season. It is necessary to add nutritional resources to their body prior to the harsh winters when moose may loose up to 30% of their body weight.