Five Things You Didn't Know About Moose Mating

Moose are the largest species of deer (they can weigh up to 1,800 lbs.) and when mating season comes around, moose go big or go home.

1. Male moose (known as "bulls") spray themselves with their own urine to announce their presence

Translation: "Hey, mating season comes but once a year! Step on down"

2. Antlers on male moose act as sexual "billboards"

Translation: "I got big antlers and I cannot lie"

P.S. They fall off after mating season ends :/

3. Female moose (known as "cows") employ a strategic urine plop in water to get attention

Translation: "My urine brings all the boys to the yard"

4. A sumo-style pushing contest ensues over the female moose

Translation: "Watch me put these antlers to work, baby"

5. But sometimes the female isn't happy with either contender, vocalizing her displeasure...

Translation: "No, thanks! Don't want no scrubs."

Basically, it's hard out here for a moose

DIORAMA is produced by WNET’s Interactive Engagement Group in collaboration with The American Museum of Natural History and PBS Digital Studios. For more, visit http://thirteen.org/diorama/