Vocabulary
- Antler – an extension of an animal’s skull found in members of the deer family. Antlers are made of bone and are typically found only on males. They are shed each year, and then regrow.
- Horn – a two-part structure, consisting of an interior portion made of bone (an extension of the skull) and an exterior covering grown by specialized hair follicles (similar to human fingernails). Horns are usually found on both males and females, although they are often smaller on the females, and they are not shed.
Fun Facts
- The Moose is the largest resident animal in CT. (sea turtles can get bigger, but they are only visitors to the state)
- The moose is the largest member of the deer family and the tallest mammal in North America.
- Moose can weigh up to 1300 lbs. Each antler alone weighs 30-37 lbs!
- An average moose can eat 40 to 50 pounds of food each day
- A Moose antler is made of bone that is an extension of the skull. Initially, the antlers are covered with a layer of skin called velvet, which nourishes the bone as it grows. Once growth has finished, the velvet is shed. The moose will often speed this process up by rubbing on trees.
- Male moose use their antlers to duel with other males during mating season, to win over a mate.
