Quick Take
- Moose fights can last for hours at a time and are mostly fought over mating rights and territory.
- Instead of fighting to the death, moose mostly fight until one concedes.
- Moose use their antlers to shove and push each other around rather than piercing each other.
Moose can be quite aggressive, and people are often advised to keep their distance. Their sheer size is intimidating, and their sturdy antlers can be dangerous if you are struck by them. Although witnessing a moose fight in person is rare, there are some amazing videos available online. This YouTube video from National Geographic shows two moose fighting in a suburb—one of the last places you’d expect it to happen. Read on to learn more about how and why these animals fight.
Moose are not territorial in the traditional sense, but are solitary animals that might become aggressive if they encounter one another.
©Tom Tietz/Shutterstock.com
About the Moose Fight
In the video linked above, two moose are fighting for dominance. Most of the fight involves the moose forcefully pushing each other with their antlers. At times, one moose is shoved and pinned to the ground, forcing it to gather strength before standing back up. The fight concludes after one moose is rammed painfully in the side, causing it to run away. All of these behaviors are common during moose fights. The moose are testing each other’s strength and stamina to establish dominance. Moose fights are more like wrestling matches than anything else. Rather than trying to stab or gore each other, moose use shoving and twisting of antlers to display strength without causing fatal injuries. While the fight in the video ended quickly, some moose fights can last for hours.
Fights can sometimes be serious, as shown in the video, or they can simply be bouts of practice between two young moose. However, the fight in the video was particularly violent. Moose typically weigh around 1,500 pounds, making these fights extremely intense to watch. Fortunately, moose do not usually fight to the death. One moose typically concedes when it no longer has the energy to continue.
Since male moose fight for mating rights, mating season can be quite violent.
©Thomas Torget/Shutterstock.com
Why Do Moose Fight?
Moose fight for several reasons, with the primary one being competition during mating season. During this time, females gather in groups, and males compete for the right to mate. However, the video doesn’t show any females nearby, so what other reasons could there be? Other reasons include disputes over territory or, as mentioned above, practice fights. While moose are not territorial like wolves, for example, they are solitary animals. So when another moose enters their space, they can become defensive and try to protect themselves. This is most likely what is happening in the video. Two moose likely crossed paths by accident and, feeling threatened, escalated the encounter into a fight over the area.
