The Alces alces, Latin for moose, is one of fifteen species of the family Odocoilinae. Other well-known species in this group include the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (O. hemionus), and the caribou (Rangifer tarandus). The moose have seven subspecies geographically located throughout the world with familiar physical traits.

The Alaska Moose, A. a. gigas, geographically located from Alaska to the Yukon. The Siberian Elk, A. a. pfizenmayeri, is located in Russia in northern Siberia, from Yenisey River south to Sayan and the Yablonovy and Dzhugdzhur mountains ranges. The Eastern Moose, A. a. americana is located from eastern Canada into northeastern United States. The Northwestern or Manitoba Moose, A. a. andersoni is located from northern Michigan and Minnesota, westward in United States and Canada. The Yellowstone or Shiras Moose, A. a. shirasi, located in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah and within parts of Southern Alberta and British Columbia. The European Elk, A. a. alces, is located from northern Europe and Russia, in the western area of Siberia and the Yenisey River and bordering on the Altai Mountains. The Siberian Moose, A. a. cameloides, located in areas of Russia’s eastern Siberia, Mongolia, and Manchuria.

Physical traits common to all moose, begins with an outline starting with the drooping lip, a long nasal aperture called a nose, large ears a hump at the shoulders, and a sloping back with a postanal tail. The body length measures 2.5-2.7 meters. The jaw has pharyngeal clefts and the upper incisors are absent. The lower jaw supports a flap of skin that hangs beneath at the throat called a Bell. Their gestation lasts for approximately eight months with the embryos attached with a notochord that must be cut for separation at birth. The even-toed herbivore is covered in hollow hair to withstand adverse weather conditions and helps as floatation in swimming. Their digestive system uses a four-chamber stomach to chew cud, which contains microorganisms that break down vegetation.

Moose have adapted to live in various areas throughout the world and still maintain similar physical traits.

http://www.smouse.force9.ca.uk/moose.htm

http://www.york.biosis.org/zrdocs/zoolinfo/mam_art.htm

http://www.iup.edc/~ferenc/pa_elk.htmlx