Energy Expenditure in Moose Calves

Abstract

We estimated resting heat production in an open circuit respiration chamber for 10 moose (Alces alces) calves during summer and late winter. Heat production measurements did not differ (P = 0.3097) between sexes, but summer measurements (172 kcal/kgBWo 75/day) were significantly higher (P = 0.0001) than those from late winter (117 kcal/kgBWo75/day). Resting heat production estimates for calves were higher than those reported for adult moose. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 55(3):391-393 Ecological metabolism (Moen 1973), which represents the total daily energy expenditure of free-ranging animals, is a useful statistic when predicting nutritional carrying capacity of ranges. Ecological metabolism is generally calculated as the sum of energy costs associated with various activities (i.e., feeding, walking, ruminating, etc.) during a given time period. Renecker and Hudson (1989) used such estimates when they calculated ecological metabolism for adult moose. Seasonal energy metabolism of adult moose was estimated by Regelin et al. (1985), Renecker and Hudson (1989), and Hubbert (1987). Renecker et al. (1978) measured the resting energy costs and thermoregulatory requirements of moose calves during winter, but no comparable information existed concerning the energetic costs in moose calves during summer. Our objectives were to define resting heat production levels of neonatal moose calves during summer and to provide estimates of resting heat production in late winter which supplement early winter estimates provided by Renecker et al. (1978). By combining these data with other energy costs, ecological metabolism and nutritional carrying capacity can be estimated for moose calves. We thank C. J. Pecham, J. S. Bevins, D. C. Johnson, and G. M. Taber for animal care and assistance with metabolism trials. K. B. Schneider, S. R. Peterson, and S. O. Morgan provided valuable editorial comments. This project was a contribution of Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, Projects W-22-2 to W-22-5