51. ~ Moose ~

The moose can live to be twelve or more years' old. They are the largest animals in the deer family. It has a hump of muscle on its back. A moose is an extremely powerful swimmer. They are dark brown in colour. The bell-shaped thing under their neck is properly called a dewlap. The male bulls have especially large, long heads. A bull moose can weigh more than eighteen hundred pounds. The females are called cows. The babies are called calves. Calves are initially born with a light-coloured coat. A moose is about equal in size to a horse. Bulls grow a new rack of antlers each year. These antlers grow to be large, flat, branched objects. A moose is active during the day time. They can run thirty-five mph (55 km/h), and swim six mph (10 km/h). The moose can be extremely dangerous especially when protecting their babies. If you see a moose with the hairs standing up on its hump, its ears laid back, licking its lips, and walking slowly toward you; back off immediately - it isn't approaching you because it wants to make friends. Immediately seek protection behind a solid object such as a tree, a car, anything that will put a barrier between you and it!

Medicine:

Moose medicine teaches us not get hung up on our surroundings. They teach us not to worry about how others might see us. They teach us we are bigger than this, and we are quite capable of taking care of our own. Moose medicine teaches us to remember this message and always carry this medicine in our heart. Moose medicine reminds us to be sincere and avoid getting a big head. The medicine of the moose suggests that you generally mind your own business, but when others provoke you, you will be a force to be reckoned with.