Moose alces alces
ScatMoose droppings are always easy to identify--big rounded ovals, I'd estimate around an inch long each. They are usually dark in color. It is evident from their light color that the droppings in this photo were already old and had been sitting under the snow for awhile.
Interesting (and I think disturbing) fact: Genuine moose droppings, also called "moose nuggets" are gathered, preserved (I am not certain of the method used to do this), decorated, and sold to tourists as souvinirs. I've seen them made into Christmas tree ordaments, earrings, keychains.... I'm not sure which disturbs me more; that someone would actually have the idea to sell moose droppings and would do it or that people will actually buy them. |
Other SignThese marks were left on this willow by a moose scraping the bark off with her teeth. I have also seen this sign on aspens. Moose love to eat both. In this photo, a large broken branch can be seen to the left of the scraping. This was also the work of a moose. These marks are often left around five, six or more feet up the tree--a testament to the grand size of the moose.
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