A curious moose photographed in April in northern N.H. While the moose is one of the largest animals in the woods, it's fate often is determined by one of the smallest, the winter tick. Yearling moose in particular face extreme pressure and mortality from winter ticks. Moose are not as effective at grooming as deer and often rub the hair off the chest and shoulder areas where they cannot reach. Excessive rubbing and grooming exposes white broken hair shafts which why many also call them "ghost moose". This particular moose was looking pretty good after a long winter.
Great picture and thanks for educating me about the winter tick - who knew such a grand animal could be done in by ticks.
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