Alces alces
Northern forests and wetlands across Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. Very large tracks, 5 to 7 inches, pointed and often spreading in mud.
What does a moose look like?
Dark brown, very tall, with a hump and a long nose. Palms on the antlers of bulls.
What do moose tracks look like?
The largest heart-shaped hoof in North America. Prints often splay. Dewclaws register even at a walk in soft ground.
- Very large tracks, 5 to 7 inches, pointed and often spreading in mud
- Dewclaws almost always print
- Droppings are oval pellets or a loose pile near water
- Long legs, shoulder hump, overhanging snout
- Bulls have broad palmate antlers
What does moose poop look like?
Pellets are larger than deer, often near willow and pond edges. Summer droppings are loose. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine, including the deer tick.
Where you find it
Northern forests and wetlands across Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. Typical places: woods, wetland. Year-round. Most dangerous in fall rut and when cows have calves.
What to do next
- Do not approach
- Back away if the ears drop or the hair on the neck stands up
- Call for help if a moose is on a road and will not move
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Elk identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
A huge pointed split hoof, 5 to 7 inches, often with dewclaw marks. They splay in mud.
Large oval pellets, bigger than deer, often near wetlands and willow.
How to tell a moose from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Elk. A heavy, rounded heart print. Tall tan body, dark neck on bulls, pale rump.
Moose field marks
- Very large tracks, 5 to 7 inches, pointed and often spreading in mud
- Dewclaws almost always print
- Droppings are oval pellets or a loose pile near water
- Long legs, shoulder hump, overhanging snout
Where the sign shows up
Northern forests and wetlands across Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. Typical places: woods, wetland. Year-round. Most dangerous in fall rut and when cows have calves.
The largest heart-shaped hoof in North America. Prints often splay. Dewclaws register even at a walk in soft ground. Pellets are larger than deer, often near willow and pond edges. Summer droppings are loose.
Common questions
What do moose tracks look like?
A huge pointed split hoof, 5 to 7 inches, often with dewclaw marks. They splay in mud.
What does moose poop look like?
Large oval pellets, bigger than deer, often near wetlands and willow.