Maine State Mammal
Moose (common name) Alces alces (scientific name) Overview The moose is the largest animal in the deer family and the second largest land animal (after the bison) in North America and Europe. Moose are iconic animals of the deep woods known for the enormous, broad antlers of the male. The moose was declared the state land mammal of Maine in 1979 and of Alaska in 1998, and it is a popular game animal in both states. The animal is superbly adapted to cold climates with its long legs—which allow it to wade in deep water and to walk through deep snow—and its extremely dense fur. The moose was an important food source for the indigenous peoples of North America, and its flavorful meat is still popular among hunters and people living in rural areas where moose are present. Close-up STATUS Official ALSO KNOWN AS Common elk, Eastern moose, Alaska moose, Shiras moose PHYSICAL DETAILS The moose has long thin legs, a bulky torso, a short tail, and a huge head with an elongated snout. Under the chin, the animal has a hanging fold of skin called a "dewlap."  Its color ranges from golden hues to almost black. After the mating season, the male sheds its antlers. A new set of antlers re-grows in the spring over a three- to five-month period.    Males Females Size height at shoulder 1.8–2.1 m (6–7 ft); full height up to 9 ft (2.75 m); width of antlers up to 50 in (127 cm) height at shoulder 1.8–2.1 m (6–7 ft) Weight 850–1,580 lbs (380–720 kg); average 1,150 lbs (523 kg); largest 1,800 lbs (820 kg) 600–1,300 lbs (270–590 kg); average 850 lbs (386 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 25 years; average of 11 years in the wild HABITAT Pine forests where there are lakes, ponds, rivers, and swamps. Range: From Alaska to Maine in North America and from Finland to Korea in Eurasia. In North America, moose are present in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, the Adirondack region of northern New York, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Wisconsin, northern Minnesota, northeastern North Dakota, and pockets of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, as well as most of Canada. Conservation: Least Concern (LC). By the mid-1800s only a dozen moose were left in Maine due to over-hunting. The Maine moose herd didn’t rebound until the early 1970s and now almost 30,000 of the animals live in the state. BEHAVIOR Like other deer, the moose is most active at dawn and dusk. Moose are typically solitary except for mothers and calves and during the breeding season in autumn. During the mating season, the female emits a wailing call to which the male responds with a booming grunt. Males will fight (usually only involving the antlers) over females with the larger animal likely winning. Moose will migrate from a few miles to as many as 60 miles (96 km) to birthing, mating, and wintering areas. Top land speed recorded: 35 mph (56 kph) DIET Grasses, pond vegetation (water lilies, horsetail, bladderwort), sedges, bark, roots; the shoots, twigs, buds, and leaves of willow, birch, maple, fir, and aspen trees. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: May–June Average litter size: 1–3 calves Size at birth: 28–45 pounds (22 kg); average 31 lbs (14 kg) TRIVIA The word moose is derived from the word moz, which means "twig eater" in the language of the Penobscot people of coastal Maine. The moose is a very popular big game species. Hunters kill more than 10,000 moose annually in the U.S. (7,000 in Alaska, over 2,200 in Maine, 500 each in Vermont and New Hampshire, and 200 in Minnesota). Moose are excellent swimmers, able to swim at 6 miles per hour (10 km/h). They can also dive up to 17 ft (5 m) underwater due to valves in their nostrils that seal upon submergence.
	Click to enlarge an image Moose Female Cow Crossing River Female Cow with Young Calf Close-up of Bull Moose CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Alces Species: A. alces
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Maine State Mammal
Maine Coon Cat (common name) Felis catus (scientific name) Overview One of the oldest domestic cat breeds considered native to North America, the Maine coon cat is now one of the most popular breeds in the world. Its origins are uncertain, and there are many theories. One legend says that the Maine coon is the offspring of semi-wild domestic cats and bobcats, and another claims the cat to be related to raccoons. But because cats cannot hybridize with bobcats or raccoons, these legends cannot be true. Another popular theory is that the six pet cats Marie Antoinette sent to Maine when she was planning her escape from France during the French Revolution eventually evolved into the Maine coon. It is also widely accepted that the Maine coon cat is a descendant of breeds brought to the continent by Vikings or British sailors. These seafaring cats worked on the ships, controlling the rodent population, making today’s Maine coon a working cat by blood. After exotic longhaired cat breeds like the Persian and Angora were introduced to North America, the Maine coon population declined severely by the 1950s. The breed was considered extinct by some authorities, and the Cat Fanciers’ Association denied the breed acceptance. The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association, founded in 1968, and the Maine Coon Cat Club, formed in 1973, promoted the breed. By 1975, the Maine coon was accepted with provisional status into the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), and was granted CFA championship status a year later. According to the CFA, the Maine coon is now America’s second most popular breed of cat. In 1985, the Maine coon was designated the official cat of the state of Maine. Close-up STATUS Official State Cat ALSO KNOWN AS Coon Cat, Maine Cat, Maine Shag PHYSICAL DETAILS Hardy, rugged, and broad chested, this is one of the largest cat breeds, but a well-proportioned one. The Maine coon is known for its smooth yet shaggy coat. This cat’s long, heavy, water-resistant coat is uniquely adapted to endure cold, wet New England winters. The silky coat is longer on the stomach and britches for protection, and it falls smoothly. This cat can wrap its long, bushy tail around it for added warmth, and its big feet can act like snowshoes. Brown tabby is the most common color and pattern for this breed, but it is seen in a variety of solid colors, including red, blue, white, black, and cream, and several tabby patterns.    Males Females Size 10–16 in (25–41 cm) high 10–16 in (25–41 cm) high Weight 13–20 lb (5.9–9 kg) 9–14 lb (4.1–6.4 kg) LIFESPAN Maine coon cats develop slowly, not reaching full maturity until two to four years of age. The typical life expectancy of an indoor cat is 12 years, but some live to 18 years or more. BEHAVIOR This breed is known to be intelligent and friendly. It is gentle, loyal, and compatible with children as well as with other pets. Its long, thick hair requires frequent grooming. The Maine coon cat has evolved to withstand the harsh winters of its birthplace. DIET Cats are true carnivores, which means they are dependent solely on animal protein for their necessary nutrients. Cats cannot digest large amounts of plant material. Since a pet’s diet normally consists of food supplied by its owner, cat food, whether commercial or homemade, can contain only small amounts of vegetable matter. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Biannually Birthing period: 63–70 days Average litter size: 4–7 kittens TRIVIA A female Maine coon cat named Cosey won the very first cat show in the United States. The show was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 8, 1895. In 2005, Guinness World Records awarded Missi, a Maine coon from Iisvesi, Finland, the record for the longest whiskers on a cat. The whiskers were 7.5 inches (19 cm) long. In 2007, the Maine State Library got an official mascot. The Maine coon cat costume was named Baxter by statewide vote.
	Click to enlarge an image Maine Coon CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Felis Species: F. catus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press