Changes

The '''moose''' (''Alces alces'') is the world's largest [[deer]]. Moose are generally associated with northern forests in [[North America]], [[Europe]], and [[Russia]]. In Europe they are called '''elk'''.

The '''moose''' (''Alces alces'') is the world's largest [[deer]]. Moose are generally associated with northern forests in [[North America]], [[Europe]], and [[Russia]]. In Europe they are called '''elk'''.

[[Native Americans]] ate moose meat for protein. The meat was dried and used as jerky as well as eaten fresh. One moose contains enough meat to feed a family of four for a year. However, no part of the animal went to waste – tribal peoples also tanned the hides and turned them into clothing and shoes, using strips of rawhide to make laces and straps. They carved antlers and used them as tools and for artwork and to function as buttons. The hair was used for decoration, and to make fishing flies.  The name moose comes from the Proto-Algonquian word ''mooswa'', meaning "the animal that strips bark off of trees."  

[[Native Americans]] ate moose meat for protein. The meat was dried and used as jerky as well as eaten fresh. One moose contains enough meat to feed a family of four for a year{{fact}}. However, no part of the animal went to waste – tribal peoples also tanned the hides and turned them into clothing and shoes, using strips of rawhide to make laces and straps. They carved antlers and used them as tools and for artwork and to function as buttons. The hair was used for decoration, and to make fishing flies.  The name moose comes from the Proto-Algonquian word ''mooswa'', meaning "the animal that strips bark off of trees."  

They are most abundant in recently burned areas that contain [[willow]] and [[birch]] shrubs, on timberline plateaus, and along major rivers. This is because they strip leaves and twigs off hardwood trees for food - moose eat 40-50 lbs of vegetation in a day. In winter they feed on balsam fir, but the nutritional value of this is too low to sustain them permanently. They also eat grass and lichen and other plants from the forest floor. They are ruminants that chew the cud like cows, and have a similar four-chambered stomach. Moose are good swimmers and can browse underwater on pondweed, underwater plants and water lilies, also submerging to protect themselves from biting insects.  

They are most abundant in recently burned areas that contain [[willow]] and [[birch]] shrubs, on timberline plateaus, and along major rivers. This is because they strip leaves and twigs off hardwood trees for food - moose eat 40-50 lbs of vegetation in a day. In winter they feed on balsam fir, but the nutritional value of this is too low to sustain them permanently. They also eat grass and lichen and other plants from the forest floor. They are ruminants that chew the cud like cows, and have a similar four-chambered stomach. Moose are good swimmers and can browse underwater on pondweed, underwater plants and water lilies, also submerging to protect themselves from biting insects.