How moose survive in winter: what they eat in cold weather and how they move through deep snow

Winter is a difficult time for animals. They have to fight for their lives to survive in low temperatures with a limited diet.

"First of all," SSPDaily writes, "it concerns large representatives of the fauna that need a lot of food to provide their bodies with energy. In this case, we are talking about moose, which weigh up to 700 kg and are 2.5 m high at the withers."

How do moose survive in the bitter cold?

According to the Grand Teton National Park (GTNP, USA), closer to winter, moose store fat and grow the perfect winter fur with long, hollow strands of hair. It forms a thick, dense undercoat that traps air and retains heat.

Their characteristic dark brown "moose" color, which absorbs every degree of heat, also helps them survive. In addition, their nasal passages are designed to heat the air when they inhale, which warms the lungs and saves them from inflammation.

In the course of evolution, these animals have also learned to save energy. They do not grow antlers in winter and move less.

As for food, moose eat branches, grass, leaves, and even pine needles in winter.

Moose are not afraid of deep snow either. They are muscular and long-legged, so moving through snow several feet deep is not difficult for them.

Most of these animals live alone, but you can often see them together as cubs stay with their mothers for up to a year before starting an independent life.