Moose and Rabbit Similarities

Study Notes

Similarities between Rabbits and Moose

Both are mammals that give birth to live young and feed their babies milk
Both are herbivores that eat plants to get their matter and energy
Both rabbits and moose serve as prey for carnivores

Moose Biology and Behavior

Female moose give birth to calves in late May, when they weigh only 30 pounds
Calves rely on their mother's milk for nourishment for the first two months of life
Calves begin eating plants within a couple of weeks and eat large amounts by late July
By late fall, healthy calves weigh around 300 pounds, almost ten times their birth weight
Typically, eight out of ten adult female moose are pregnant each fall
By the following spring, only one or two out of ten females still have a surviving calf

Moose Diet and Nutrition

Moose consume 30-40 pounds of plants per day during summer
They eat a lot, but their food is low in nutrition
They bite and chew several thousand times every day to get enough nutrients
In preparation for winter, moose increase their body weight by up to 25%
During winter, moose eat twigs from trees and shrubs and pine needles, which contain only one-third the nutrition of leaves
When snow is deep and food is scarce, moose restrict their food intake to conserve energy

Moose and Wolves on Isle Royale

The only predators of moose on Isle Royale are wolves
Wolves hunt in packs to capture and kill moose, which are ten times their size
Wolves eat nearly all parts of the moose, leaving behind only the large bones, digestive system, and hair
Moose are the only food source for wolves on the island, so the moose population size affects the wolf population

Description

This quiz explores the similarities between moose and rabbits, including their characteristics as mammals and herbivores. It also discusses the application of rabbit simulation to understand the moose population on Isle Royale.