By Michael R. McHugh Winter Ecology Spring 2010 Mountain Research Station – University of Colorado, Boulder

 Colorado Moose will have similar behavior than other “Typical” Moose  Objective: Moose Background Methods Used Results Winter Behaviors Discussion and Conclusion

 Alces alces  Moose are the largest members of the deer family Females: lbs. (CDOW, 2009) Males: lbs. (CDOW, 2009)  Non-Native to Colorado Introduced in 1978 near North Park (CDOW, 2009)  Colorado is the southern edge of moose’s range

 Locating Food Sources  Willows and Saplings Watering Areas  Accessible Bedding/ Tracks  How old?  Frequency Talk to local

 Stride Length  Bed Size  Distance between Beds  Overall Size of Bedding Area

 Clear Drag  Snow depths had minimal impact  Splitting between objects  Trail Following

 Cow and Yearling were bedding in areas with heavy cover within ten feet of each other  Bull was in open willows within 40 feet of closest bed  Urine found in all beds  Bed Sizes

 Small Groupings Cows and calves are common social grouping Bulls are not commonly part of this social grouping

 Diet Willow stems/buds, leaves, bark, and shrubs  ~11 lbs. per day (Young, 2000)  Habitat Willow patches within marshy mountain meadows

 Importance of Snow Dynamics Snow density Air and Snow Temperatures Snow depth  Adaptations Cloven Hooves “Yards” Trail following

 This data can be used for the introduction of moose into other non native states  Adaptations have been made by lower latitude moose  I would like to look at behaviors during all seasons of the year

 Lundmark, Caroline, and John P. Ball. "Living in Snowy Environments: Quantifying the Influence of Snow on Moose Behavior." Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 40.1 (2008): Print.  United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Know Your Moose. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1 July Web. 19 Feb  United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Moose. By David M. Armstrong. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 18 Sept Web. 19 Feb  United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Moose on the Loose. By Mary Taylor Young. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1 Sept Web. 19 Feb  United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Of Moose and Men. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1 July Web. 19 Feb  United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Moose Haunts. Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1 July Web. 19 Feb  United States. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Northern Exposure. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Web. 19 Feb