The Largest Moose in the World

Moose are the largest existing species of the deer family in the world today. They are also the tallest mammal in North America. With huge antlers that can be more than six feet long, moose certainly are an impressive sight. Yet, just how big is the largest moose in the world? Keep reading to learn more about moose and discover just how big the largest moose ever recorded was.

Moose Characteristics

Moose have an average shoulder height of 5-6.5 feet and an average weight of 800-1,500 pounds, but some have been known to grow larger. Considering that moose are only measured to their shoulders, it’s no wonder they are the tallest mammals to roam the North American continent.

Moose are dark brown and have long, broad faces and large muzzles. Their noses and upper lips are particularly large and are often used for stripping leaves off branches. They have short tails and dewlaps, which are large flaps of skin hanging underneath their chins.  

Moose have two layers of fur to help them stay warm in sub-zero temperatures. The bottom layer is soft and woolly, while the top layer is made up of long guard hairs. These hairs are hollow and are filled with air, which is useful for both insulation and for keeping them afloat when they are swimming.

The Largest And Smallest Moose Subspecies

Found widely across North America, there are four recognized subspecies of moose on the continent — Eastern, Western, Alaskan, and Shiras. The main differences between the subspecies are size and location. The Shiras moose is the smallest subspecies, while the Alaskan is the largest.

Shiras moose are found in British Columbia, Canada, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and Idaho. The Eastern moose is found across eastern Canada, New England, and New York, while the Western moose is inhabits western Canada and the western US. The Alaskan moose is found in Alaska and western Yukon.

The Largest Moose Ever Recorded

The largest moose ever recorded was an Alaskan moose that weighed 1,808 pounds. The giant was killed in Yukon in September 1897 and had a shoulder height of 7.6 feet. That easily made it a record breaker, according to Guinness World Records. It was so big, even though more than one hundred years have passed, no moose has topped its impressive size.

The Largest Moose Antlers on Record

Male moose have broad, open-shaped antlers which can be more than six feet wide. The size and growth rate of their antlers are determined by their age and diet. Symmetrical antlers mean the moose is in good health. The diameter of the antler beam can be used to determine the age of the moose, rather than the number of tines. The symmetry of antlers usually declines after the moose reaches 13 years old. Moose use their antlers to spar and fight when competing for females. While antler size can influence mate selection, females consider multiple factors, including dominance displays and overall health.

According to Guinness World Records, the largest moose antlers were 80-5/8 inches. They were taken by a hunter in Alaska in 1958. They note the moose itself was not especially large, weighing only around 1,400 pounds, but the antlers alone weighed 60 pounds.