Moose Size Comparison: A Clear Look at North America’s Gentle Giants

Moose: The Giants of the Deer Family

Moose are the largest members of the deer family, and their size varies by subspecies and sex. In general, adult male moose (bulls) tower over most other land mammals, while females (cows) are smaller but still impressively large. The biggest individuals come from Alaska and western Canada, where the Alces alces gigas subspecies often reaches the greatest heights and weights. These impressive dimensions not only contribute to their majestic appearance but also play a crucial role in their survival and behavior in the wild.

What the Numbers Look Like in Practice

• Height at the shoulder: Bulls typically stand about 6 feet tall, with some individuals pushing toward 7 feet in taller specimens. Cows are usually a bit shorter, around 5.5 to 6 feet at the shoulder. This means a single moose can be taller than a grown human at the shoulder, and when you add their heads, antlers, or necks, they appear even more massive. These figures align with commonly cited measurements from wildlife sources and wildlife-focused guides.^[1][5]
• Body length and mass: On average, adult bulls can weigh around 1,200 to 1,600 pounds, with the Alaska/Yukon subspecies often at the upper end of that range. The heaviest individuals on record have surpassed 1,800 pounds, illustrating the extreme end of the species’ size spectrum. Females are lighter, generally averaging between 800 and 1,000 pounds.^[3][5][1]
• Antler size: A mature bull’s antlers can span up to about 6 feet across and may weigh a substantial portion of the animal’s body mass during peak growth, highlighting how antler development contributes to the overall impression of size.^[1][3]

How Moose Compare with Familiar Animals

• Humans: An adult moose can easily stand taller at the shoulder than most people, and when horns or antlers are raised, the overall bulk is striking compared with a standing human. This makes moose among the most recognizable large mammals in North American forests.^[1]
• Horses and elk: A full-grown moose generally outweighs a horse and far more so than an adult elk, which typically weigh up to around 1,100 pounds. In height, bulls can rival or exceed the shoulder height of many horses, but the sheer body mass of a moose is unique among large land mammals.^[3][1]
• Deer species: Moose are considerably larger than white-tailed and mule deer, whose masses often range from roughly 100 to 300 pounds, underscoring the moose’s status as one of the continent’s dominant ungulates.^[3]

Subspecies Overview and Regional Differences

• Alaska/Yukon moose (gigа): The largest subspecies, with bulls commonly exceeding 1,600 pounds and approaching eight feet in shoulder height in exceptional individuals. The largest recorded Alaska moose weighed more than 1,800 pounds.^[5][3]
• Eastern moose: Found across parts of Canada and the northeastern United States, typically smaller than their Alaskan counterparts but still robust, with bulls often around 1,200 pounds.^[1]
• Western moose: Occurring in western North America and parts of British Columbia, they generally fall in the 1,000 to 1,200-pound range for bulls.^[3]

Why Size Matters in the Wild

• Habitat and adaptations: Moose are built for cold climates and deep snow; long legs and large bodies help them move through boggy environments and allow efficient foraging in winter. The leg length you see is a key adaptation that enables traversal of uneven terrain.^[3]
• Antler dynamics: The antler development not only signals maturity for mating but also contributes to the animal’s visual presence and the ecological dynamics of moose populations. Antlers can be a substantial portion of a bull’s mass during growth and are shed annually.^[1]

Illustrative Snapshot

• The largest wild moose on record weighed just over 1,800 pounds with antlers spanning more than 6 feet, illustrating both the upper limits of size and the impressive silhouette that makes moose a prominent feature of northern forests.^[3]

Sources

• Moose size ranges by subspecies and sex, with notes on the Alaska/Yukon subspecies as the largest group.^[1][3]
• Comparisons to elk, deer, and horses, including typical weights and heights.^[5][3]
• Historical records of maximum known weights and antler spans.^[1][3]