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Camera collars reveal macronutrient balancing in free-ranging male moose during summer
Robert Spitzer1, Monica Ericson2, Annika M Felton3
1Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Umeå Sweden.
Ecology and Evolution
|August 19, 2024
Summary
Moose regulate their diet by balancing protein with carbohydrates and lipids, favoring willows and birch. This summer foraging behavior mirrors winter patterns, crucial for wildlife management.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife Ecology
- Nutritional Ecology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Understanding food choices is vital for wildlife management and conservation.
- Moose (Alces alces) exhibit macronutrient balancing in winter diets (protein vs. carbohydrates/lipids).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate summer foraging and nutritional choices of wild moose in Norway.
- To detail macronutrient intake and food selection in moose during the summer season.
Main Methods:
- Utilized camera collars for continuous recording of foraging behavior.
- Conducted plant nutrient analyses and forage availability measurements.
- Analyzed diet composition and macronutrient ratios (AP:TNC+lipids).
Main Results:
- Moose primarily derived energy from carbohydrates (74.2%), followed by protein (13.1%) and lipids (12.7%).
- Deciduous browse, particularly willows (Salix spp.), dominated the diet (71%).
- Moose maintained a tight macronutrient ratio (AP:TNC+lipids) of 1:2.7, using selective feeding and complementary feeding strategies.
Conclusions:
- Macronutrient balancing in moose is consistent between winter and summer.
- Foraging decisions, including bite-level selection, aim to meet specific macronutrient targets.
- Findings inform wildlife and forest management strategies for moose populations.
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