Question

Which of the following statements is NOT true concerning moose natural history?

1) Moose are the largest species in the deer family.
2) Moose are herbivores and primarily feed on plants.
3) Moose have a long breeding season that lasts from September to October.
4) Moose are native to North America and Europe.

Answer 1

The incorrect statement about moose natural history is that their breeding season is considered 'long' since it is actually a short period within September and October. Moose antlers, grown by males, are for displaying dominance and competing for mates during the breeding season.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is NOT true concerning moose natural history is: "Moose have a long breeding season that lasts from September to October." In fact, the moose breeding season, also known as the rut, is relatively short and typically occurs within that limited timeframe rather than being considered 'long'. Now, addressing the purpose of antlers in moose, which often leads to many questions about the natural world: Antlers are used by male moose for several reasons including displaying dominance and fighting with other males during the breeding season to win over females. Antlers can be large, with some spanning 1.8 meters from tip to tip, and are energetically costly to grow. Despite the potential drawbacks, such as getting tangled in vegetation, the antlers play a crucial role in the mating success of the male moose.

It's also important to highlight that moose are indeed the largest species in the deer family, they are herbivores that primarily feed on plants, and they are native to North America and Europe. This information enriches our understanding of moose biology and ecology, as studied in various scientific works such as Samuel et al. (2012) and Sexton et al. (2009). Understanding why a moose has antlers and how it fits into the larger picture of its ecology is thinking like a scientist, which is precisely what high school biology students are encouraged to do.

Answer 2

Moose have a long breeding season that lasts from September to October is NOT true concerning moose natural history. Moose actually have a breeding season that typically occurs in the fall. Moose are the largest species in the deer family and are herbivores, primarily feeding on plants.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is NOT true concerning moose natural history is: Moose have a long breeding season that lasts from September to October.

Moose actually have a breeding season that typically occurs in the fall, usually from late September to October. During this time, bull moose use their antlers to compete for mating opportunities with the females, known as cows.

Some additional information about moose natural history:

• Moose are the largest species in the deer family, with adult males (bulls) weighing up to 1,500 pounds and standing over 6 feet tall at the shoulder.
• Moose are herbivores and primarily feed on plants such as leaves, twigs, and bark from deciduous trees during the summer, and the twigs and needles of conifers during the winter.
• Moose are native to North America, Europe, and Asia, with different subspecies found in each region.