Watch a Gigantic Moose Chase Down a Racing Grizzly

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Written by Angie Menjivar

Updated: November 10, 2023

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What do moose eat
© iStock.com/RONSAN4D

Moose are generally peaceful creatures—though, in the fall, during mating season, bull moose tend to be more aggressive. The females may also get aggressive when protecting their young. Although they are the largest of the deer family, moose have the same nervous dispositions as their deer brethren.

If something startles them—whether people or another animal—they can easily become overwhelmed and stressed out, which could result in aggressive behavior.

Bears, on the other hand, are not nervous creatures. They are capable of taking down large animals, including moose. Grizzly bears can tackle a full-grown moose, and black bears can tackle baby moose. In this video, you see the massive size difference between a moose and a bear, and you also see how the tables can turn when a moose displays aggressive behavior.

The video is taken by a person standing on a balcony overlooking a gorgeous lake. Right in the center of the camera frame, you spot the female moose, or cow, running out of the water, making splashes as she runs. You can hear some vocalizations in the air, and the bear hasn’t come into view yet.

Suddenly, you spot the bear running around a small shed, trying to get away from the moose.

bull moose

There are currently around 300,000 moose in the U.S.

©Harry Collins Photography/Shutterstock.com

The moose follows closely behind the bear, and the camera pans over, where you can see a small group gathered to take in the unusual event. The backdrop is breathtaking, with snow-capped mountains towering over tall trees that line the lake.

The people on the balcony are captivated, and the person who filmed this video isn’t the only one capturing the moment on camera.

He makes his way over to the railing to get a better look, and you can see the bear has gone down toward the water in its attempt to get away from the moose.

However, it doesn’t venture into the water. It turns around and starts running in the opposite direction.

The moose is ready and waiting, and as soon as the bear approaches again, she’s ready to chase it down. The bear, in a state of panic, seeks shelter inside the building where the cameraman and the group of others are.

Unfortunately for the bear, it gets confused and crashes straight into a window on the first floor. It doesn’t make it through, but it startles the bear, and it runs off in the direction it came.

At that point, the moose stops pursuing it.

You can hear the surprised reactions from the crowd that gathered as they process what happened.

Moose Vs. Grizzly Bear

MooseGrizzly Bear
Height 4ft 7in – 6ft 11 in3 to 5 ft on all fours; Up to 9 ft on hind legs
WeightMales: 800 to 1500 lbs
Females: 440 to 1080 lbs
Males: 400 to 600 pounds
Females: 250 to 350 pounds
Lifespan8 to 25 years20 to 25 years
HabitatNorth America, Europe, RussiaNorth America
DietHerbivoreOmnivore
ColorLight brown to dusky blackVery light tan to dark brown
SpeedUp to 35 MPH35 MPH

Is It Normal For Moose to Chase Down a Grizzly Bear?

moose

Moose do not normally attack bears which are stronger and more aggressive

©iStock.com/Ondrej Prosicky

Normally, no, moose do not tend to be aggressive towards bears. Additionally, if a bear and moose were to fight, the bear would win as bears are more aggressive and stronger.

While moose aren’t more dangerous to humans than bears are, they do pose a greater threat of injury to you as a person because of their population size.

There are more moose than bear attacks because moose are more common and come into contact with people more often than bears do.

During certain times of the year such as mating season, moose can also be particularly aggressive.

Where do Moose and Grizzly Bears Live?

Rocky Mountain Moose

More than 300,000 moose live in the U.S.

©Michael Liggett/Shutterstock.com

Moose can be found all across the northern forests of North America, Europe, and Russia. In the United States, approximately 300,000 moose live in 19 states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.

While bears are found throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, the grizzly bear in particular is native to North America. The grizzly, also known as the North American brown bear, lives mostly in Alaska and Western Canada but can be seen in portions of the Northwestern United States.

How Long Do Moose and Grizzly Bears Live?

Ursus arctos californicus, California grizzly bear

Grizzlies generally live between 20-25 years but can live for over four decades

©Vahe Martirosyan, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons – License

Moose typically live 8 – 20 years in the wild. Researchers have found what may have been the oldest wild moose on record, a Michigan cow who was 22 when she died.

Grizzly Bears live an average of 20-25 years, depending on the species. Some can even reach 30 years of age or more in captivity. Debby, a female American black bear, is considered the oldest bear that ever lived. She died at the age of 42 in the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Canada.

Other Amazing Animal Videos You Might Like.

It’s a scene that is more suited to a nature documentary out in the wild. Except that it’s taking place right in an urban environment. Two moose fight their way right into the middle of a driveway before moving dangerously close to a parked car. Thankfully, they move away, before taking their pushing and shoving out onto the road, prompting a driver to pull back not a moment too soon. Because these two dueling cervids have decided the entire street is their arena and their battle progresses close to the former location of the parked car before moving to the middle of the road. There one shoves the other to the ground. But it gets to its feet and they progress further down the street to a green area. At last, the victor pursues the vanquished and stands bellowing triumphantly.

Watch these two moose engage in a duel right in a residential area


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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

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