What I "Moose" Have! Wildlife Habitat & Carrying Capacity

Moose are ungulate herbivores with specialized multi-chambered ruminant stomachs containing billions of symbiotic microbes that ferment cellulose.

In summer, a mature moose eats up to 70 pounds of fresh leaves and aquatic plants per day! In winter, they survive on low-nutrient woody browse, losing up to 20% of their body weight by spring.

Divide the class into two lines facing away from each other 20 yards apart: Group 1 are MOOSE, Group 2 are HABITAT RESOURCES (Food, Water, or Shelter).

Each player chooses a symbol: Hands on belly = Food; Hands over mouth = Water; Hands over head like a roof = Shelter.

On 'GO!', all turn and run: each moose must find a matching resource! If matched, the resource becomes a moose calf; if unmatched, the moose starves and becomes habitat soil!

After 10 rounds of the game, students plot the moose population over time on a graph.

They observe how a plentiful food supply leads to a moose population explosion, which subsequently over-browses the habitat, causing a dramatic population crash back below carrying capacity.

For Tebughna families, hunting dnigi is an act of sacred responsibility. Hunters share harvest meat with elders, widows, and community members at festive gatherings.

Every part of the animal is honored: prime roasts, rich bone marrow, tongue, nose, and hide used for crafts. Taking only what is needed ensures healthy moose populations forever.

Students review game graphs and discuss modern habitat management tools like prescribed willow clearing, wildfire succession, and predator-prey balance with wolves and bears.

Teams reflect on how protecting contiguous forest corridors protects wildlife and tribal food security.