During mating season, bulls battle for cows, usually with pushing matches. The males bellowing roars can be heard for great distances. They also croak and bark as ways of communication. The cows make grunting noises when calling to their young. After a gestation period of 226 to 264 days, one to three calves are born.
Females give birth during the spring and summer.
The newborn calf can stand up and walk the first day, usually within a couple of hours of being born. Within a couple of weeks it is able to follow the mother anywhere she goes, even swimming across lakes and rivers. Moose are very good swimmers able to sustain a speed of 6 mph for extended periods of time. Moose populations have been reduced by human hunting and habitat destruction. Modern game laws and areas set aside for their protection have worked to increase populations in many areas.