The animal kingdom is like a beautiful tapestry, with different sizes, shapes, and proportions, all blending to create a captivating picture that inspires our imaginations. The moose is truly a magnificent creature that roams our planet. Its grandeur is something to behold & its presence is awe-inspiring. In this article, we’ll try to find the answer to the question, how big is moose compared to humans? Let’s start!
How Big Are Moose Compared to Humans?
Did you know that moose are much larger than humans? It’s true! Moose are even stronger than most wild animals. Here’s a detailed comparison of the size of moose and humans.
Physical Characteristics:
Moose (Alces alces) are truly titans of the animal kingdom, especially in comparison to humans. These impressive creatures, native to the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, exhibit a combination of features. Moose can grow at a height of 4.6 to 6.9 feet (1.4 to 2.1 m) at the shoulder & the average human height is 1.7 m (5.5 feet). Moose length, from nose to tail, is up to 9 feet (2.7 meters), further emphasizing their powerful presence.
Moose Mass vs. Human:
When considering the weight of moose, the difference between these giants and humans becomes even more apparent. A fully grown moose can weigh anywhere from 800 to 1,600 pounds (362 to 725 kg), including male or female moose, or even more in some cases. In contrast, the average weight of a human generally falls within the range of 130 to 180 pounds (58.9 to 81.6 kg). This variation in weight highlights the immense size of moose in contrast to our much smaller human bodies.
Moose’s Antlers:
It’s pretty amazing how male moose have such incredible antlers, as shown in the image above. They’re a sight to see. Male deer use their antlers, which can grow up to 1.2 to 1.5 meters (3 feet 11 inches to 4 feet 11 inches), to fight other males during the breeding season.
Moose Running Speed:
Moose are massive creatures known for their size and strength, but how fast can these giants move when they’re on the run? Despite their large body, moose are surprisingly agile runners, especially considering their weight. The moose can run at a speed of around 35 miles per hour, which is equivalent to 56 km/h.
Human Running Speed:
The difference in running speed between moose and humans is quite noticeable. The fastest human, such as Usain Bolt, have reached speeds of around 27.33 mph (43.99 km/h) during their race competition.
How Big is a Moose Compared to a Car?
Moose, with their tall height and robust body, is considerably larger than most automobiles. The average weight of a car in kg is about 1900kg (4188 pounds) & length is 14.7 feet.
So we can say a moose is 5.7 feet small in length & 2588 pounds small in weight. Wow! Can you believe it? A moose can be as big, if not bigger, than a car! That’s right, from nose to tail, the length of a moose can rival or even exceed the length of a standard vehicle.
It’s hard to imagine such a massive animal roaming in the wild, but it’s true. So next time you’re out driving, keep an eye out for these majestic creatures. Their massive presence stands in stark juxtaposition to the relatively compact and engineered design of automobiles.
How Big is a Moose Compared to a Horse?
A moose is notably larger than a horse in terms of both height and weight. Moose are among the largest land mammals, while horses are moderate in size. Most moose are about 4.6 to 6.9 feet tall at the shoulder, while horses are generally 14 to 18 hands tall. It means that moose are usually taller than horses.
Moose have a weight range of 800 to 1,600 pounds (362 to 725 kg), which is considerably heavier than the average weight of horses that can vary from 900 to 1,200 pounds (408 to 544 kg) depending on their breed and size.
The biggest horse ever recorded was a Shire gelding named Sampson, with an impressive height of 21.2 hands, which is equivalent to 7 feet. In addition, he weighed up to 1524 kg, which is around 3360 pounds.
Moose vs Horse Speed:
It’s interesting to note that horses are faster than moose when it comes to speed. A moose can run at a maximum speed of 35 mph (56 km/h), while horses can reach up to 40 mph (55 km/h) in their fastest run.
How Big is a Moose Compared to an Elephant?
An elephant is much larger than a moose in terms of size and weight. Elephants hold the title of being the largest land animals on Earth. Moose, on the other hand, generally do not exceed the size of elephants.
Did you know that adult African elephants can reach a height of 9.18 to 10.5 feet (2.8 to 3.2 m) at the shoulder and weigh between 5,000 to 15,000 pounds (2,267 to 6,803 kg) or even more? It means that if there are between 4 and 10 moose, they are considered to be equivalent to one elephant
Biggest Moose Size:
The biggest moose ever recorded was a male Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) that was shot in 1897 in western Yukon, Canada. This moose was truly impressive, with a shoulder height of 6.9 feet (2.1 meters) and an estimated weight of around 1,400 pounds (635 kg). Its antler span was also incredibly wide, measuring about 6 feet!
Moose Size Comparison: Moose vs Hippo
When you compare a moose and a hippopotamus, you’ll notice that these two creatures have different physical features. However, it’s worth noting that hippos are significantly larger than moose in terms of both size and weight. The moose lives in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. In contrast, the hippopotamus lives in freshwater environments such as rivers and lakes throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Hippos are incredibly massive creatures, with females weighing up to 1,365 kg (3,009 lb) and males weighing up to 1,480 kg (3,260 lb). They can reach heights of 5.2 feet and lengths of 10 to 16 feet. Although some hippos have more weight than this. Despite their seemingly ungainly appearance, hippos are swift and agile in water, where they spend most of their time in the water to avoid the sun’s heat.
Moose Size Comparison: Moose vs Giraffe
When comparing a moose and a giraffe, it becomes clear that there are significant differences between the two animals. While the giraffe is taller, typically ranging from 14 to 18 feet for females and males, respectively, the moose is heavier in terms of weight.
The giraffe is an African animal renowned for its height, with a neck that can be up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) long & a weight of its neck is 600 pounds, and legs around 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters) in length. And the overall weight of a giraffe is 1500 to 3000 pounds (680 to 1361 kg). Did you happen to know that a giraffe’s heart is around 2 feet long and weighs about 25 pounds? I think it’s pretty amazing! It is safe to say that a giraffe is taller but lighter than a moose in terms of weight.
Moose Size Comparison: Moose vs Bear
If we compare a moose and a bear, it’s interesting to note that both animals have their unique ways of defending themselves in a fight. Bears can weigh from 770 to 1500 pounds (349 to 680 kg), depending on the species & the height of bears can be 1.8 to 2.4 m. So, bears are smaller in both height and weight compared to moose.
However, in a fight between a moose and a bear, a bear may win the fight. For example, a large adult male grizzly bear might have the advantage over a moose in strength and weaponry (claws and teeth). However, moose can also be formidable in their own right, using their hooves and antlers to defend themselves.
FAQs:
Are moose dangerous to humans?
Moose typically don’t display aggression towards humans, but they can be dangerous if they feel danger, particularly during their mating season. Additionally, female moose, with their young ones, can be defensive and react aggressively.
What do moose eat?
Moose are herbivores and primarily consume plant matter such as leaves, twigs, bark, and aquatic vegetation. Their diet varies based on the available vegetation in their habitat.
How long do moose live?
In the wild, moose generally live up to 15 to 25 years.