SpeciesFacts

All species › Mammals › Moose

Moose

Alces alces

Mammal · family Cervidae · order Artiodactyla

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Moose
Photo: Ryan Hagerty, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
17 states[3]
Typical length
110 in[4]

The moose (Alces alces) is a large mammal in the deer family, Cervidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[1], and NatureServe lists it as native in 17 US states and territories, from Alaska to Maine[3].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the moose G5 (Secure) worldwide[2] and N5 (Secure) in the United States[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. Ranks differ from state to state, and the table on this page lists each one[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Moose lives

NatureServe lists the moose as native in Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming[3]. In Colorado it was brought in by people and is not native[10]. In Pennsylvania it is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated, which means it is gone or may be gone from the state[11]. On GBIF, the states with the most reports are Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, Vermont and Montana, which reflects where people look, not how many moose live there[12].

Alaska: native, state rank S5AKMaine: native, state rank S5MEWisconsin: native, state rank SUWIVermont: native, state rank S5VTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S3WAIdaho: native, state rank S3IDMontana: native, state rank S4MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRNDMinnesota: native, state rank S3MNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: native, state rank S4MINew York: native, state rank S3NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S4MAOregon: native, state rank S3ORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: native, state rank S4WYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: native, state rank S4CTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: native, state rank S3UTColorado: introduced, state rank SNACONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: not recordedALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: not recordedTXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[8].
Show state ranks (19 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlaskaS5Secure
ColoradoSNANot Applicable
ConnecticutS4Apparently Secure
IdahoS3Vulnerable
MaineS5Secure
MassachusettsS4Apparently Secure
MichiganS4Apparently Secure
MinnesotaS3Vulnerable
MontanaS4Apparently Secure
New HampshireS5Secure
New YorkS3Vulnerable
North DakotaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS3Vulnerable
PennsylvaniaSXPresumed Extirpated
UtahS3Vulnerable
VermontS5Secure
WashingtonS3Vulnerable
WisconsinSUUnrankable
WyomingS4Apparently Secure

Habitat

Moose use many kinds of places, including conifer, hardwood and mixed forests and woodlands, shrublands, alpine areas, tundra, bogs, marshy wetlands, streams and shallow water[13]. They do best where young forest is mixed with clearings, swamps and open water[14]. Water is where they find much of their food, and stands of hardwood and conifer trees give shelter in winter[14]. On hot summer days they keep cool in deep shade or by going into water, and calves are born in thick brush that hides them[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size and diet

The moose is a herbivore, which means it eats only plants[15], and EltonTraits estimates its diet as 100% other plant material[16]. In summer it feeds on fresh leaves, twigs and bark of trees and shrubs, plus water plants rich in salt, while in winter it mostly eats twigs of conifer and hardwood trees[17]. A typical adult is about 279 cm (110 in) long[4] and weighs about 630 kg (1389 lb)[18]. Mating takes place from September to late October, pregnancy lasts 240 to 246 days, and a cow usually has one calf, sometimes two, in late May or early June[19]. Females are most productive from age 4, and most males do not mate until they are 5 to 6 years old[19].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 279 cm (110 in)
Typical adult weight[18] 630 kg (1389 lb)
Food habits[15] Herbivore
Active[20] nocturnal, crepuscular
Migration[21] non-migrant, local migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 100% other plant material

When to look for it

Moose can be up during the day or at night, but they are mostly crepuscular, which means most active at dawn and dusk[22]. Some populations stay put while others make short moves between summer and winter areas, sometimes up or down mountains[23][21]. On GBIF, most US records come in June, July and August, which shows when people report moose rather than how many there are[24].

January: 542 recordsJanFebruary: 543 recordsFebMarch: 758 recordsMarApril: 1,217 recordsAprMay: 2,930 recordsMayJune: 4,265 recordsJunJuly: 4,012 recordsJulAugust: 3,182 recordsAugSeptember: 2,718 recordsSepOctober: 1,303 recordsOctNovember: 520 recordsNovDecember: 437 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January542
February543
March758
April1,217
May2,930
June4,265
July4,012
August3,182
September2,718
October1,303
November520
December437

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Moose as present in 38 park units[25]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 14 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, Vermont, Montana[12]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Safety around this animal

These tips are quoted in summary from official agencies. We add no advice of our own. Follow local rules and the agency pages linked below.

From National Park Service (Yellowstone)

  • In Yellowstone, the National Park Service asks visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 m) from large animals such as bison and elk.
  • If the animal moves closer, back away. Approaching wildlife close enough to disturb or displace it is illegal in the park.
  • Never feed wildlife. Use binoculars or a long camera lens instead of moving closer.

Source: National Park Service (Yellowstone)[26]

From Alaska Department of Fish and Game

  • Moose usually run from danger, but in Alaska more people are hurt by moose than by bears each year.
  • Warning signs include raised hair on the hump, ears laid back, lip licking or a moose walking slowly toward you. Back away and find cover.
  • If a moose charges, do not wait to see if it is a bluff. Run and get behind something solid like a tree, building or car.
  • If a moose knocks you down, curl up, protect your head and stay still until it leaves. Feeding moose is illegal in Alaska.

Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game[27]

Questions people ask

Is the moose endangered?
No. The moose is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1], and NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[2].
Where do moose live in the US?
NatureServe lists moose as native in 17 states and territories, including Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming[3]. It is introduced in Colorado[10] and ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Pennsylvania[11].
What do moose eat?
Moose eat only plants[15]. In summer they eat leaves, twigs, bark and water plants, and in winter mostly twigs of conifer and hardwood trees[17].
How big is a moose?
A typical adult is about 279 cm (110 in) long[4] and weighs about 630 kg (1389 lb)[18].
When is the best time to see a moose?
Moose are mostly active at dawn and dusk[22]. Most US records on GBIF come in June, July and August[24].

Facts and sources

  1. Moose is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Moose: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Moose as native in 17 US states and territories: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 279 cm (110 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. Moose (Alces alces) is a mammal in the family Cervidae, order Artiodactyla. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe state ranks for Moose (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe lists Moose as introduced (not native) in: Colorado. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Moose as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Pennsylvania. NatureServe Explorer
  12. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Moose: Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, Vermont, Montana. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Moose: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Alpine, Tundra, Herbaceous wetland, Scrub-shrub wetland, Forested wetland,... NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Moose. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Herbivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 100% other plant material. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. NatureServe notes on food for Moose. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 630 kg (1389 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Moose. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal, crepuscular. EltonTraits 1.0
  21. NatureServe migration category for Moose: non-migrant, local migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  22. NatureServe notes on phenology for Moose. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on migration for Moose. NatureServe Explorer
  24. GBIF observation records of Moose in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  25. NPSpecies park lists recording Moose as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  26. Safety guidance from National Park Service (Yellowstone). National Park Service
  27. Safety guidance from Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Ryan Hagerty, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.