Can Moose Swim?
Answer at a Glance: Considering a moose’s massive size and gangly movements, you may be amazed to learn that moose are exceptional swimmers. They can swim quickly, dive effectively, and possess superior strength and endurance in the water. Moose have been clocked swimming at a speed of six miles per hour and are known to travel by swimming to distances of fifteen miles without stopping.
Dig Deeper:
- How Fast Can Moose Swim?
- Moose Are Good Divers As Well
- Moose Can Swim Great Distances
- Moose Swim for Comfort As Well
How Fast Can Moose Swim?
Remarkably, moose can reach speeds of up to 6 miles per hour in the water. This is an astonishing feat for such a large animal, especially when you consider that the average human swims at an average speed of 2 miles per hour. Even a trained swimmer in peak physical condition typically averages a swimming speed of 4 miles per hour. The moose’s swimming prowess is truly impressive. [1][2][3]
The swimming speed of a moose rivals that of the fastest human swimmer of all time to date, American swimmer Mark Phelps, who holds 23 Olympic gold medals. ESPN clocks his record-breaking swimming speed at 6 MPH. [4]
Moose Are Good Divers as Well
Not only are moose fast swimmers, but they are also skilled divers. They have been observed diving to depths of eighteen feet and remaining submerged below the water’s surface for almost a minute. This is a remarkable talent that aids in their unique diet and showcases their adaptability in their natural habitat. [5][6]
Moose love to feed on aquatic vegetation and will spend most of the day during the warmer months diving below the water to pull up the plants, such as water lily and pondweed, from the depths below. In addition to their diet of woody vegetation, aquatic plants are an essential part of a moose’s diet as these plants have a higher sodium content. A single moose requires more than 40 pounds of food daily, which explains why a moose spends much of the day eating! [7][8]
Moose Can Swim Great Distances
As if their speed and diving abilities weren’t impressive enough, moose also demonstrate remarkable endurance in the water. It is estimated that a moose can swim at 6 miles per hour and maintain that speed for several hours. They are known to travel by swimming to distances of fifteen miles without stopping, showcasing their incredible stamina. [9][10]
Moose Swim for Comfort as Well
Moose generally live in forested areas with cold winters and prefer the moist conditions offered by areas with lakes, ponds, and streams. Because moose do not sweat, they cannot tolerate regions where temperatures rise consistently above 80 degrees. When the weather becomes warmer, moose flock to their favorite swimming hole to cool off. [11]
References
- [1][9]Alaska Department of Fish and Game – “Moose – Wildlife Viewing.”
- [2] Reference.com – “What Is the Average Human Swimming Speed?”
- [3] Gao, Q., He, Z., Liu, G. et al. Phase-specific determinants of 100 m freestyle performance in elite swimmers. Sci Rep 15, 19394 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02814-1
- [4] Newsweek – “Shark Week 2017 Will See Mark Phelps Race a Great White – Because Why Not?”
- [5] Peterson, Randolph. North American Moose. United States, University of Toronto Press, 1978.
- [6] Ecology and Management of the North American Moose. United States, University Press of Colorado, 2007.
- [7] DuTemple, Lesley A. North American Moose. United States, Carolrhoda Books, 2001. pg.16.
- [8][11] University of Michigan Museum of Zoology – “Alces Americanos – Moose.”
- [10] Ballard, Jack Clayton. Moose. United States, Globe Pequot Press, 2014, pg.34.
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