# How Long Do Moose Live?

> Moose lifespan is typically 15–25 years in the wild. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Least Concern).

- **Species:** Moose (*Alces alces*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Herbivore
- **Habitat:** Boreal and mixed forests, wetlands
- **Lifespan:** 15–25 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Up to 56 km/h (35 mph)
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/moose/how-long-do-moose-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/moose/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The moose is the largest member of the deer family, standing up to 2.1 m (7 ft) at the shoulder and weighing as much as 700 kg (1,500 lb). Males grow huge, broad antlers each year that can span nearly 2 m (6 ft) across. Moose are solitary herbivores of the northern forests of North America, Scandinavia, and Russia, feeding on leaves, twigs, and water plants. Wild moose typically live 15 to 25 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a prognosis for one named animal. This page is a species lifespan range.

## Behavior and antlers

Moose are largely solitary, unlike many herd-forming deer, and males come together with females mainly during the autumn breeding season, or rut. Bulls grow a fresh set of broad, palm-shaped antlers each year, shedding them in winter and regrowing them by summer. During the rut, males use their antlers to spar with rivals and attract mates. Despite their bulk, moose are strong swimmers and can run quickly through dense forest.

## Help protect the Moose

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/moose/how-long-do-moose-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.