GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — It’s Christmas, or “Quismoose” as the National Park Service (NPS) calls it, a holiday that moose prefer to spend alone.
According to a Dec. 24 NPS Facebook post, moose are solitary animals. Two or more individuals sometimes can be found feeding along the same stream, but the NPS confirms small talk is usually kept to a minimum.
Moose don’t hibernate in winter, and instead spend their time foraging among trees and shrubs. Like deer, moose have a “second stomach,” the NPS writes, also known as a rumen chamber. This second stomach allows them to consume wood and other woody materials.
So, if you see any moose alone for the holiday, don’t feel bad for them. And if anyone is spending Christmas by themselves, just know you’re in good company!
