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Most bears can take down a moose calf, however, adult moose are very strong, and can likely put up a fight against any bear, except for grizzly bears and polar bears.
When it comes to the question of who would win in a fight, a bear or a moose, there is no easy answer.
Both animals are incredibly powerful and can be deadly when provoked.
However, there are some key differences between these two creatures that could determine the outcome of such a battle.
In this article, we will take a closer look at both the similarities and differences between moose and bears, as well as explore which of these two animals would come out on top in an altercation.
Bear vs. Moose: Who Wins in a Fight?
| Bear Species | Winner |
| Grizzly bear vs. Moose | Grizzly bear |
| Polar bear vs. Moose | Polar bear |
| Black bear vs. Moose | Moose (black bears can kill calves) |
Grizzly Bear vs. Moose
A large grizzly bear can take down any moose, and they frequently do. However, a small grizzly bear could have a difficult time against a large moose.
It’s hard to tell who would win in a grizzly-moose fight. Despite the bear’s massiveness, the moose could outmaneuver them.
In the end, it would come down to the size difference. A large bear can easily take down a moose, or a calf, while a small grizzly bear can have a tough time.
Grizzly bears typically weigh between 290–790 lb (130–360 kg), but can reach more than 1,000 pounds. Moose are larger and can weigh upwards of 800-1,600 pounds (590 kg).
Polar Bear vs. Moose
Polar bears would have no issue taking down a moose (in most encounters). While they typically eat seals, they can kill moose as well.
These bears are among the world’s biggest land mammals, and they’re the biggest land predators. They are very dangerous if provoked, and highly skilled hunters.
A polar bear typically weighs between 770–1,700 lb (350–700 kg), which is very similar to a moose of 800-1,600 lb.
Polar bears have been known to combat moose and win. Moose stand very little chance of coming out alive from an encounter with these massive animals.
Black Bear vs. Moose
When black bears encounter moose calves, they often kill and eat them. However, they don’t stand the same chances against adult moose.
In a fight with a small moose or a calf, the black bear would probably win. They are faster and more agile than moose, and their jaws are stronger. Black bears are estimated to kill more than 25,000 moose calves a year.[1]
However, if a black bear were to go up against an adult moose, there’s no telling what would happen.
Black bears are smaller in size, around 90–375 lb (41–170 kg). They do however have sharp claws and teeth. Moose have hooves that are sharp and pointed.
Differences Between Bears and Moose
| Trait | Bears | Moose |
| Size | 3.3-9.8 feet | 4.6 to 6.9 feet |
| Weight | 130-1,700 pounds (60-770 kg) | 800-1,600 pounds (364-591 kg) |
| Color | Black, white, brown | Brown, black |
| Strength | Incredible bite force, raw power, and sharp claws | Very strong kick and can kick 360° around them |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Habitat | North America, South America, Europe, Asia | Northern regions of the US (from Maine to Washington, throughout Canada, and in Alaska)[2] |
Moose vs. Bear Size
A bear can weigh anywhere from 130 to 1,700 pounds, while a moose can weigh anywhere from 800 to 1,600 pounds[3]. This means that most bears are smaller than moose.
Moose are taller than bears, with the average male standing at six feet tall at the shoulders. Bears are typically four to six feet tall at the shoulder, while some can grow up to almost 10 feet (polar bears).
The antlers of a moose also aid in further expanding their stature. Moose antlers can grow up to six feet wide and weigh as much as 30 pounds.
Bears have claws on their front paws that can be up to four inches long. Moose have hooves on their front and back legs that help them navigate in the snow.
Moose vs. Bear Color
Bears come in different colors, depending on the species.
- Brown bears, for example, can be light or dark brown, black, or even white.
- Grizzly bears are usually light brown, but can also be very dark.
- Kodiak bears are usually dark brown or black.
- Polar bears are white.
- Black bears are black.
Moose are not as varied in color as bears. They are typically golden brown or dark brown. There is some reddish-brown coloring around the neck and shoulders, and they sometimes have a white patch on the chest.
Both bears and moose have black markings on their fur, but they are usually not very noticeable. The bear’s markings tend to be more distinct than the moose’s.
Moose vs. Bear Strength
Bears and moose have different strengths, due to their different nature. Bears are hunters, meaning they have sharp teeth, claws, and a powerful bite. Moose are herbivores and have very strong kicks.
Both moose and bears are very strong, however, bears are built for hunting, whereas moose are not. That’s not to say, that moose can’t be dangerous.
When bears hunt, they’ll typically claw and bite their prey, attacking from the rear. They often leave their prey mauled.
The strength of moose is their kick. They have incredibly strong legs and can kick 360° around them, typically using their front legs.[4]
Moose vs. Bear Diet
Bears are omnivores and will eat both plants and animals. Moose are herbivores, but they will also eat twigs, buds, and bark from trees.
Bears and moose eat different things. Whereas bears typically eat plants, such as berries, fruits, and leaves, they also eat meat and carrion (dead animals). Moose only eat plants.
Their digestive systems are also different.
Bears are able to digest food quickly so that they can digest fatty foods like salmon. Moose have a four-chamber stomach which helps them digest their tougher food sources.[2]
Related: What Do Bears Eat?
Moose vs. Bear Habitat
The bear and moose habitats are different in a few ways, however, both live in many of the same areas.
The bear lives in forests, whereas the moose lives in more open areas such as meadows and clearings.
Bears are more widespread, inhabiting both North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Moose also live in North America, Europe, and Asia, but their distribution is more confined.
Can a Moose Kill a Bear?
Yes, moose can kill bears. Moose have been known to kill bears by stomping on them, goring them with their antlers, or raking them with their hooves.
Moose aren’t aggressive animals. But they can still be dangerous. If threatened, they will defend themselves.
Moose have a few defense mechanisms, but their primary ways of doing damage are:
- Kicking
- Stomping
- Using their antlers
While moose typically can’t kill grizzlies or polar bears, they can inflict serious damage to smaller predators, such as wolves, black bears, and coyotes.
Can a Bear Kill a Moose?
Yes. Bears are extraordinarily strong and can kill creatures twice their size. A bear may easily take down a moose, especially if it attacks from behind.
Bears frequently hunt moose. Grizzly bears can hunt adult moose, while black bears keep to calves.
Most of a bear’s diet consists of plants. When they do eat meat, they tend to stick to ungulates (moose, elk, deer), fish, insects, and small mammals.
Do Bears Prey on Moose?
Yes, bears do prey on moose. In fact, bears are one of the main predators of moose.
Bears are opportunistic predators, meaning that they will eat whatever is available to them. Moose are large and easy targets for bears, so they do prey on them occasionally.
Related: Are Bears Apex Predators?
Is a Moose More Dangerous Than a Bear?
Both moose and bears can be potentially lethal to humans, depending on the situation. However, bears tend to be more dangerous, as they’re predators, while moose are not.
The size of a moose is typically much larger than that of a bear. This means that a moose has the potential to do more damage if it attacks.
However, moose are herbivores. They don’t eat meat, and they typically aren’t aggressive. Hence, bears tend to be more dangerous, as they can easily turn aggressive.
Conclusion
The bear is the clear winner when it comes to a fight between bears and moose. However, it does depend on the size and species of the bear. Large bears, such as grizzly and polar bears, can easily take down a moose. Black bears stick to hunting moose calves.
While moose aren’t aggressive, they can still be dangerous. Hunting moose isn’t always safe for bears, and moose can use their strong legs to kick and stomp them.
Contents
- Bear vs. Moose: Who Wins in a Fight?
- Differences Between Bears and Moose
- Can a Moose Kill a Bear?
- Do Bears Prey on Moose?
- Is a Moose More Dangerous Than a Bear?
- Conclusion
FAQs
Who would win in a fight moose or bear? ›
In general, both animals are reclusive and avoid human contact, but are capable of harming humans. If they fought one another, a bear would likely be the winner. This article will explore the main differences between bears and moose in an effort to determine if bears are really stronger.
Can a bear defeat a moose? ›Grizzly bears have been shown to be particularly effective predators of moose calves from birth to about 2 months of age and often kill adult moose in the spring.
Is a moose faster than a bear? ›A moose can run at 35 mph. That is actually faster than Usain Bolt and normal people. A black bear can run at 35 mph and a grizzly bear at 30 mph.
What animal can beat a bear? ›Most other animals have more to fear. But tigers, other bears, wolves, and especially humans have been known to attack and kill bears.
How strong is a moose? ›Bull moose are well-equipped to fight. At up to 1,600 pounds they are enormously powerful. Their shoulders are huge, and during the rut, their neck muscles expand to twice their normal size. Thick forehead skin acts like armor against punctures.
Who would win in a fight a bear or a bull? ›With horns the bulls actually were capable of killing the bears, but typically the bears were STILL the victors in these fights, though it wasn't a 10/10 deal. The fight usually went like this. Bull charges bear, Bear basically takes the full brunt of the attack, latching onto the bull's head.
Who would win a moose or grizzly bear? ›A moose could kill a bear with a well-placed kick or by using its antlers. A bear has to chase the moose down and then take kicks while landing a bite on its neck and bringing it to the ground. That would be the most likely outcome of the fight, though.
What animals can beat a moose? ›Moose have a few natural predators including wolves, bears, cougars, and orcas. These animals are extremely large and strong or can attack the moose in packs.
Do moose chase bears? ›Is It Normal For Moose to Chase Down a Grizzly Bear? Normally, no, moose do not tend to be aggressive towards bears. Additionally, if a bear and moose were to fight, the bear would win as bears are more aggressive and stronger. With that said, moose aren't more dangerous to humans than bears are.
Can a bear fight a lion? ›A bear would win a fight against a lion. Bears have the advantage in just about every aspect, from size to offensive capabilities. The only time that a lion would win is if it managed to sneak up and ambush a bear, leaping onto it and biting into its head with such power that it shattered the skill.
Who would win a lion or a moose? ›
So chances are that in most encounters between a moose and a lion, the moose would walk away at the end and the lion would sulk hungrily, plotting its next nine attacks. That's why my short answer was “You're both right.”
Which is bigger polar bear or moose? ›The moose is America's second largest mammal when it comes to weight, tipping the scales at up to 1,800 pounds. The polar bear -- which lives in certain areas of Northern Alaska -- can reach weights of up to 1,600 pounds.
What animal could win any fight? ›The absolute unbeatable beast who took home the title for best fighter: the elephant. With a 74% win rate, it just eked out a win over the rhinoceros, who also received a 74% win rate. (Just a few extra tenths of a percent gave the elephant the top spot.)
Can gorillas beat bears? ›Although a silverback gorilla is very fast, quite strong, and has a longer arm span, it is unlikely that a silverback could defeat the much larger and faster grizzly bear in a fair fight. The one advantage that a Silverback might have is in the enormous strength of its muscles.
Who wins bear or tiger? ›So, the one who strikes first will win the fight. If a tiger can reach the bear's neck it would win as it is very difficult to get out of the tiger's jaws. And if the bear strikes the first blow on the tiger's spine or legs the grizzly will win. If the fight is prolonged the tiger's chances of winning will diminish.
Can wolves take down a moose? ›Wolves kill a significant number of moose calves, and are increasingly able to kill moose as they grow beyond about eight years old, but an adult moose in its prime is a formidable adversary for a predator.
Can a single wolf take down a moose? ›"It's not unusual," Mech told us. "In fact, single wolves occasionally kill not only moose but also bison and muskoxen."
Are moose blind? ›– They have very bad eyesight (almost blind) but compensate with their hearing and sense of smell which are very developed. – Moose are color blind due to the fact that they have a shortage of cones.
Who would win grizzly bear or elephant? ›The chances of the two coming to meet are limited. However, in case of a fight, an elephant would most definitely win. Even the largest bear species is almost three times lighter and twice as smaller than an elephant. Because of the enormous size and strength of an elephant, a bear would not stand a chance.
Who would win a bear or a hippo? ›An average bear would stand no chance against an average Hippo. The Hippo outweighs the bear by about three times over and has longer canine teeth that are capable of inflicting deep wounds on the bear. Even if the bear were to successfully fend off an attack, it would only result in the Hippo becoming more aggressive.
Who would win a bear or a rhino? ›
A polar bear's strength is no match for a rhino. The most it could do would cause the rhino to bleed, but ultimately it would definitely lose in a one-on-one battle with this animal, since a rhino can weigh up to 7 times as much as an adult polar bear.
Who is stronger polar bear or grizzly? ›However, grizzly bears are tougher than polar bears as they possess stronger and longer claws and an elongated skull with sharp and long canines that can completely separate the flesh from bone.
Do black bears hunt moose? ›Their diet includes roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass, and other succulent plants. They are able to kill adult deer and other hoofed wildlife but most commonly are only able to kill deer, elk, moose, and other hoofed animals when the prey are very young.
Do bears eat wolves? ›Yes, bears can kill and eat wolves, but it's a very rare occurrence. Bears are scavengers and poor hunters, so they don't actively go after wolves. Bears are slow hunters. They couldn't catch a wolf for prey.
What animal eat bears? ›Bears are apex predators, meaning they're at the top of their food chain and don't have many natural predators. Among the animals that can eat bears are wolves, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, humans, and tigers.
What eats a black bear? ›Black bears may become prey to mountain lions (Puma concolor), wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), grizzly bears, humans, or other black bears. Cubs are especially vulnerable to predation by these other animals.
Has a moose ever killed a human? ›If you do strike a moose, the odds of a fatal accident are about half a percent. In Maine, there were 7,062 collisions with moose between 2003 and 2017, which resulted in 26 fatalities. That equates to a . 37% chance of a fatality when hitting a moose.
How fast can a moose run? ›Description. Moose (Alces alces) are the largest members of the deer family, and Alaska moose are the largest of all. They may appear gangly and awkward, but these imposing creatures can run at speeds of up to 35 mph and swim at 6 mph for up to two hours.
How big can a moose get? › How fast can a grizzly bear run? ›Who wins lion or gorilla? ›
They are both highly aggressive creatures, so a prolonged fight could be brutal. Even then, the lion would probably come out on top, making up for its relative lack of stamina with sheer power. A lion has a good chance of killing a gorilla in a one-on-one fight. The only thing is that a lion rarely fights alone.
Who would win bear or crocodile? ›Both these animals have the advantage in their own territory. If they were to fight, the most likely outcome is that the crocodile would win in water because its jaws are much more powerful than bears and the crocodile has tough scaly skin that would protect it from the bite of the grizzly bear.
Who would win in a fight bear or shark? ›A shark would win a fight against a bear. Although a polar bear might be the best match out of any bear for a shark, it would still lose. It doesn't have the toolkit needed to slay a creature so much larger, faster, and deadlier than it.
Can a man beat bear? ›Absolutely not. Now its possible a man may frighten a grizzly or the bear decides its not worth fighting, but if the bear chooses to actually fight no human no matter how well trained in any fighting style or amount of strength is going to win.
Who would win bison or moose? ›Bison are larger than moose in most measures. Moose top out at 1,500lbs but bison can weigh up to 3,000lbs or more. Moose can stand 6.9ft at the shoulder and grow to a length of 10ft, but bison can reach a total height of 11ft when counting their hump. Bison will also reach a length of about 9 feet!
What animal can beat a lion? ›Elephants and rhinos are the animals most likely to kill lions. The humble porcupine is a threat to mighty lions.
What animal is bigger than a moose? ›Bison are the largest land mammal in North America – bigger than elk, moose, and grizzly bears! The male bison is called a bull.
Do wolves eat moose? ›This article will explain what wolves eat. Wolves are carnivores and feed on prey from earthworms to animals as large as moose. Elk, deer, sheep, and goats make up a large part of a wolf's diet. Smaller mammals, including rabbits, hares, and beavers, are part of their diet.
What mammal is bigger than a moose? ›#1: American Bison- 701-2,599 pounds
The largest land mammal in North America is the American bison! The American bison is also the national mammal of the United States. This beast can weigh 701 to 2,599 pounds!
A moose could kill a bear with a well-placed kick or by using its antlers. A bear has to chase the moose down and then take kicks while landing a bite on its neck and bringing it to the ground. That would be the most likely outcome of the fight, though.
Do black bears eat moose? ›
Their diet includes roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass, and other succulent plants. They are able to kill adult deer and other hoofed wildlife but most commonly are only able to kill deer, elk, moose, and other hoofed animals when the prey are very young.
Who would win a lion or a moose? ›So chances are that in most encounters between a moose and a lion, the moose would walk away at the end and the lion would sulk hungrily, plotting its next nine attacks. That's why my short answer was “You're both right.”
Can a bear fight a lion? ›A bear would win a fight against a lion. Bears have the advantage in just about every aspect, from size to offensive capabilities. The only time that a lion would win is if it managed to sneak up and ambush a bear, leaping onto it and biting into its head with such power that it shattered the skill.
What animals can beat a moose? ›Moose have a few natural predators including wolves, bears, cougars, and orcas. These animals are extremely large and strong or can attack the moose in packs.
Do moose chase bears? ›Is It Normal For Moose to Chase Down a Grizzly Bear? Normally, no, moose do not tend to be aggressive towards bears. Additionally, if a bear and moose were to fight, the bear would win as bears are more aggressive and stronger. With that said, moose aren't more dangerous to humans than bears are.
Who is stronger polar bear or grizzly? ›However, grizzly bears are tougher than polar bears as they possess stronger and longer claws and an elongated skull with sharp and long canines that can completely separate the flesh from bone.
What animals eat bears? ›Tigers, wolves, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, and humans eat bears, but these predators only focus on bear cubs rather than adult bears. The adult bears are too aggressive and dangerous to prey on – obviously a reason they are at the top of the food chain.
Do bears eat wolves? ›Yes, bears can kill and eat wolves, but it's a very rare occurrence. Bears are scavengers and poor hunters, so they don't actively go after wolves. Bears are slow hunters. They couldn't catch a wolf for prey.
Do bears eat snakes? ›Although most species of bears, including black bears, eat a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, snakes are notably absent in reported bear diets.
Can a moose beat a wolf? ›An adult moose will kill a single wolf in a fight. Cases exist where a single wolf has killed a moose, but they are usually juveniles if not calves. Tackling the challenge of a fully grown moose is more difficult for many reasons. For starters, moose are very tall, and they use their antlers and legs to attack foes.
Can a man beat bear? ›
Absolutely not. Now its possible a man may frighten a grizzly or the bear decides its not worth fighting, but if the bear chooses to actually fight no human no matter how well trained in any fighting style or amount of strength is going to win.
Who would win bison or moose? ›Bison are larger than moose in most measures. Moose top out at 1,500lbs but bison can weigh up to 3,000lbs or more. Moose can stand 6.9ft at the shoulder and grow to a length of 10ft, but bison can reach a total height of 11ft when counting their hump. Bison will also reach a length of about 9 feet!
Who wins tiger or bear? ›However, the polar bear would likely win the battle in a head-to-head fight featuring two fully grown males. Their larger mass, stronger bite force, and greater stamina would allow them to outlast the smaller, weaker tiger.
Would a bear beat a gorilla? ›With the bear's massive body, superior muscle, surprising speed and evolutionary armory, there really isn't any way a gorilla wins the fight. Every attempt it makes would be thwarted by at least one of these factors.
Who would win a bear or a rhino? ›A polar bear's strength is no match for a rhino. The most it could do would cause the rhino to bleed, but ultimately it would definitely lose in a one-on-one battle with this animal, since a rhino can weigh up to 7 times as much as an adult polar bear.