The moose (Alces alces) is the largest member of the deer family and the official land mammal of Alaska, designated in 1998. The Alaska moose (A. a. gigas) is the largest subspecies, with bulls averaging about 634 kilograms and standing over 2.1 meters at the shoulder. Alaska has roughly 200,000 moose, out of about 300,000 in the United States [1][2][3].
| State land mammal since | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Alaska moose subspecies | Alces alces gigas |
| Bull weight (Alaska average) | About 634.5 kg |
| Cow weight (Alaska average) | About 478 kg |
| Alaska population | About 200,000 (2011 estimate) |
| Largest confirmed bull | 820 kg, Yukon River, 1897 |
| Lifespan | About 15–25 years |
Description
Moose stand 1.4 to 2.1 meters at the shoulder, with Alaskan moose able to exceed 2.1 meters. Bulls weigh 380 to 700 kilograms and cows 200 to 490 kilograms, and head-and-body length is 2.4 to 3.1 meters. The Alaska moose averages about 634.5 kilograms for males and 478 for females, and the largest confirmed bull, shot on the Yukon River in 1897, weighed 820 kilograms and stood 2.33 meters at the shoulder [1].
Antlers
Typical mature bull antlers span 1.2 to 1.5 meters. Alaskan bulls aged 5 to 12 can have antler spreads over 2 meters, and the widest recorded spread was 2.1 meters. Antlers are shed after the mating season and regrow in about three to five months [1].
Diet
Moose are browsers that eat leaves, twigs and shoots from trees such as willow and birch, plus forbs. Aquatic plants can make up half the diet in some areas and supply sodium that land plants lack. A 360-kilogram moose can eat up to 32 kilograms of food daily [1].
Range and Population
Moose live in boreal and mixed forests across the Northern Hemisphere. Canada holds the largest populations, and the United States has about 300,000, including roughly 200,000 in Alaska in a 2011 estimate [1]. In Alaska they are found in Southcentral and the Interior, including Denali, the Chugach National Forest and the cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks, and are commonly sighted year-round [2].
Calving
Gestation lasts about eight months. Cows usually bear one calf in May or June, and twins are possible when food is plentiful, with twinning rates of 30 to 40 percent under good nutrition. Calves stay with their mother until she gives birth again, typically about 18 months later [1].
Predators
Adults have few natural enemies, but gray wolves can threaten them, especially cows with calves, and brown bears prey on moose of various sizes, mainly calves. Black bears are significant predators of calves, and wolverines mostly scavenge but can kill weakened adults [1].
State Symbol
Alaska named the moose its official land mammal in 1998 [3]. See the entries on the wildlife of Alaska and the Alaska state symbols.
FAQs
What is the Alaska state land mammal? The moose, designated in 1998.
How big do Alaska moose get? Bulls average about 634 kg; the largest confirmed bull weighed 820 kg.
How many moose are in Alaska? Roughly 200,000, per a 2011 estimate.
What do moose eat? Leaves, twigs and shoots of willow and birch, plus aquatic plants.
How long do moose live? About 15 to 25 years.
Sources
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Key facts
Quick checkWhat is the Alaska state land mammal?Show answer
The moose
Sources
- Wikipedia. Moose. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
- Alaska Travel. Alaska’s Wildlife. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
- Wikipedia. List of Alaska state symbols. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue