SEX AND AGE DIFFERENTIAL IN SEASONAL HOME RANGE SIZE OF MOOSE IN NORTHCENTRAL ALBERTA, 1971-1979

Authors

  • G. M. Lynch
  • L. E. Morgantini

Abstract

Analysis of 277 home ranges of moose (Alces alces) in northcentral Alberta showed sex- and age-specific differences in seasonal home ranges, in spite of large individual variability. Subadults (yearlings and two-year-olds) had larger home ranges than adults. The difference was found to be largely attributable to subadult males. Summer ranges of yearling males and females averaged 29.7 and 4.9 km2, respectively. Home ranges of two-year-old males averaged 25.9 km2 during summer and 47.9 km2 during fall, while two-year-old females averaged 7.5 and 10.9 km2, respectively. Of the entire male population, only two-year-olds had considerably large home ranges in the fall. Overall, moose inhabiting the Swan Hills study area had markedly larger home ranges than previously reported in other regions. The difference was related to the high degree of habitat interspersion in the boreal environments in northcentral Alberta, and to the resulting wide dispersion of food and cover resources. Winter home ranges were significantly larger than home ranges during other seasons, reflecting the limited availability of browse species.

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Published

1984-01-01

How to Cite

Lynch, G. M., & Morgantini, L. E. (1984). SEX AND AGE DIFFERENTIAL IN SEASONAL HOME RANGE SIZE OF MOOSE IN NORTHCENTRAL ALBERTA, 1971-1979. Alces, 20, 61–78. Retrieved from https://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1447

Issue

Vol. 20 (1984): Alces Vol. 20 (1984)

Section

Articles

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