MOOSE ARE WELL ADAPTED TO TOLERATE COLD TEMPERATURES

Moose can tolerate cold temperatures down to about minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (- 40 degrees Celsius). Calves do feel the cold more than adults, but only when it gets below about -22 degrees F (-30 degrees C).

Moose employ several strategies to keep warm. Their winter coats consist of long, hollow hairs and a dense, soft underfur which provides excellent insulation. Thick fat deposits around vulnerable organs further helps to retain heat where it is critically needed. Their large body size aids in reducing heat loss because of the low surface-area-to- volume ratio. Of major importance is the fact that the moose’s own digestive process creates an enormous amount of heat. Ruminating and fermenting of the large quantities of browse they consume (about 9000 twigs a day) burns up a whooping 10,000 calories a day!

More of a problem is trying to keep cool as winter temperatures rise. Above 23 degrees F (-5 degrees C) moose in their winter coats actually start to suffer from heat stress. Sometimes they will select areas of snow to lie up in just to help cool down their bodies.
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