Moose (Animal)

Its hooves were supposedly a cure for epilepsy; it is the mascot of the Seattle Mariners baseball team and the clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch; and its meat is a delicacy. The moose is a fascinating but elusive animal of the north and its little-known natural history is the focus of Kevin Jacksons engaging new book. Moose explains mooses biological history and describes its natural environments around the world including Canada New England Alaska and Scandinavia where the moose is the national animal of Sweden and Norway. Jackson considers why the moose is really an elk and an elk is a wapiti and he also looks at the controversy behind the naming of the Irish Elk. Moose explores the animals role in human history since the Stone Age including the alces in Julius Caesars history of the Gallic Wars and its influence on figures such as poet Ted Hughes and Theodore Roosevelt and his Bull Moose Party. The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show a 150-foot statue being built in Sweden and colorful moose lore all appear in this wide-ranging study making this an essential read for naturalists and moose lovers alike.