Moose were introduced to Colorado once again over three decades ago. However, they are often mistaken for elk despite the considerable differences between the two. Failure to spot the difference between elk and moose may result in fines for those seeking to hunt elk.
Moose belong to the deer family and are the largest in that group. They have grown to a range of environments such as willows near lakes and wetlands, which remain their preferred hangouts. However, it’s also common to find them near lodgepole pine, oak forest, aspen, and even sagebrush. These places are also where elk like to dwell.
Despite the potential confusion, it’s not hard to discern moose from elk. Moose are much larger in size and the shape of their antlers, with bull moose weighing over 1,100 pounds compared to a bull elk. Their dark brown color almost seems black while elk are a lighter brown, almost appearing golden. Moose also have large, elongated snout while elk has a narrower nose.
Another key difference is behavior. A moose approached by humans will typically not run away, unlike elk.
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