Species › Mammals › Shiras Moose

Shiras Moose

Alces alces shirasi

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Shiras Moose (Alces alces shirasi)
Safety note: Dangerous — observe from a safe distance.

The Shiras Moose is the smallest North American moose subspecies, found in the Rocky Mountain states of Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Despite being the 'smallest' moose, bulls still stand over six feet at the shoulder and can weigh 1,000 pounds. Shiras moose are strongly associated with willow-lined streams and mountain lakes at subalpine elevations.

Habitat
Subalpine willow thickets, mountain lakes, and stream corridors
Diet
Willows, aquatic plants, forbs, and bark
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Shiras Moose

The best time to see a Shiras Moose is June–September, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,692 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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