Moose on the Loose

Listen to my story

Moose (Alces alces) is the North American name for the largest living species of the deer family. The same animal is called an Elk in Europe.

Moose are distinguished by the palmate (hand-shaped) antlers of the males. Typically, the antlers of a mature animal are between 1.2 m and 1.5 m. The male will drop its antlers after the mating season in order to conserve energy for the winter. A new set of antlers will re-grow in the spring, taking only 3-5 months to fully develop. They initially have a layer of skin called felt which is shed off once the antlers become fully grown. On average, an adult moose stands 1.8–2.1 m high, at the shoulder. Males weigh 380–720 kg and the much smaller females between 270–360 kg.

This very large stuffed head, with antlers, is mounted on a wooden shield. It has lost its story. It was discovered in a Museum storeroom in 1985 without a collection number or label. Presumably it was shot as a hunting trophy in Alaska or Canada before somehow finding its way to Auckland over 20 years ago.