Do Female Moose Have Antlers? Learn To Identify Between Male & Female

The moose, often known as the elk, is the largest and most powerful living species in the deer family.

Moose are members of the New World deer family. Usually, adult male moose or elks have wide palmate antlers, whereas other species of deer possess dendritic antlers.

Moose are found in broadleaf and blended forest areas with cold winters, including Alaska and throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Poaching, hunting, as well as other human activities have sadly forced the moose habitat and territory to shrink.

Moose are visually distinctive due to their large statures, black hue, long legs, drooping noses, and hanging shaggy dewlaps. Additionally, the large and broad antlers of these old bulls are very recognizable. Moose feed on both terrestrial and marine plants.

Foxes, wolves, and people are the most prevalent moose killers. Moose, unlike many other types of deer, do not form groups and are solitary creatures, except their calves.

Calves live around their mother cow until the cow reaches estrus at around 18 months after the calf is born, after which the cow moose drives them apart.

Although moose are normally sluggish and inactive, they can grow hostile and move swiftly if enraged or disturbed. During the breeding season in the fall, males fight and compete for females in frantic bouts.

The scientific name for moose Alces alces. Full-grown male moose are called bulls, matured female moose are called cows, and adolescent moose from either sex are called calves. The oldest elk skeletons in the United Kingdom were discovered in Scotland and date back to around 3,900 years ago.

The animals that were first known as elks were most likely eliminated from Europe before 900 AD! However, since English speakers were acquainted with the elk species in continental Europe, the term elk continued to be used.

Without any real elk animals to observe, the term grew hazy and by the 17th century, the term elk became associated with large deer. In 18th-century textbooks, elks were merely characterized as deer that were the size of horses.

Aside from variations in geographic range, the moose subfamily species can be identified by properties such as size, pelage, as well as antler attributes. It is believed by scientists that geographical variances in body composition indicate their adaptability to the local environment.

After understanding if female moose have horns or antlers, why not also read about if female cows have horns and if female deer have antlers?

Do female moose have antlers?

It is quite common to see female moose without antlers. Females usually don't have antlers as male moose do. But do baby moose have antlers? Like most animals in the deer family, they don't. Only male bulls have antlers. Male baby moose grow and develop until adolescence, at which point they begin to grow antlers.

The skull or head of a baby moose is still underdeveloped. Therefore, antlers cannot form on the skull of a baby moose.

Life in the north consists of extremely cold climates, which is why moose have very hairy bodies. Male bull moose use their antlers to fight with other animals, which is one reason why male bull moose have antlers.

Their antler growth depends on the levels of testosterone in their body; the more testosterone they have, the faster the moose antlers grow. Female moose have not got testosterone in their bodies, hence why only male moose have antlers.

There are also tiny hair-like growths on the surface of moose antlers, called velvet. This is not actual velvet, however, it was given this name because of the way that it looks.

Female moose have plain skulls without any antlers or growth coming out of them, thus a cow moose or female moose cannot grow antlers. The point of having antlers is so that male moose can protect themselves from attackers or a predator animal.

Bull moose show their opponent that they are better by guarding their territory and fighting any threats that are dangerous. Female cow moose are rather quiet and keep to themselves, however, they can get protective of their young calves and attack.

Pointing out that female moose do not have antlers is the most efficient way to differentiate between male bull moose and female cow moose.

What are moose antlers made of?

Moose antlers are made of bone and keratin. Animals like giraffes have similar kinds of horns, but they have cartilage in their horns instead of bone. An animal's horns are something we typically associate with the male members of a particular species, however, this is not always the case.

During the life of a male bull moose, when he is in a rut, the bull can show his strength by presenting his big antlers. A rut is a period when male moose animals become reproductively active and search for a suitable mate to carry their offspring.

Antler growth happens continuously and keeps growing beneath their velvet skin. During the mating season, deer and other similar animals aim to find a suitable partner. The season for mating begins during the spring and summer months, approximately around September.

The mating season lasts until the autumn or fall of every year. In the north, where it feels like winter all the time, the warm summer and spring season marks the start of the breeding period.

Most moose are found in northern wildlife and since these animals are the largest species in the deer family, they have the same mating pattern as other deer species.

The female moose animal, also called cows, live in the wildlife on their own and are not group or herd makers.

The hard bone present in male moose antlers helps the moose animals defend themselves, making up for the disadvantage of being solitary animals. The summer and spring seasons are also when moose shed pounds of skin off their horns every year to save energy for the winter.

How much do moose antlers weigh?

To grow antlers, the moose has to first increase its testosterone levels. Since testosterone is a male hormone and is generated only after a certain age, male moose calves can't grow antlers.

Deer antlers can range from 3-9 lb (1.36-4.08 kg). So because the skeleton is thick from calcification, stronger and larger deer produce bigger antlers.

In its prime, a bull elk can have antlers spanning 4 ft (1.2 m), with each antler reaching 20 lb (9 kg). Moose antlers that are 6 ft (1.8 m) long weigh roughly 40 lb (18.1 kg) individually.

When do moose shed their antlers?

Moose shed their antlers by rubbing their horns onto trees. By rubbing their horns against tree bark, they take off the skin that grows on their antlers.

It was discovered that moose shed their skin to save energy for winter. After they shed, they lose many pounds of weight from their head. Moose animals usually search for trees with rough barks or find rocky surfaces to remove their skin against.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for whether female moose have antlers then why not take a look at if elephants have a good memory, or whether bearded dragons can eat apples.