Structural Adaptations of Moose and Deer for Snow

Abstract

Chest heights and weight-loads-on-track of moose and deer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are compared and used as indicators of relative ability to cope with varied snow conditions. In both species, chest height and track loadings increase with advancing age. Snow depths of about 30 per cent less than chest heights seriously impede both species but moose, being taller, have an obvious advantage in deep snow. Weight-load-on-track is consistently less for female deer than for males, and females, therefore, have an advantage in snow. Weight-loadings among male moose are relatively great before the rut (means of 720.1 to 922.3 grams per square centimeter for various age classes) when compared to the post-rut period (means of 618.5 to 790.6). Comparisons are made between these findings and those of Russian pioneers in the field.