Coprophagy in moose: A first observation

• Published in: Ecology and Evolution
• Main Authors: Spitzer, Robert, Åström, Cecilia, Felton, Annika, Eriksson, Monica, Meisingset, Erling L., Solberg, Erling J., Rolandsen, Christer M.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: John Wiley and Sons Inc. 2023
• Subjects: Nature Notes; Norway; Alces alces
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9852938/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36699571; https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9757

Coprophagy, the eating of feces, has been documented in a wide range of species but appears to be rare or difficult to detect in deer (Cervidae). Here, we report the first observation of coprophagy in moose Alces alces, which was recorded using camera collars on free‐ranging moose in Norway. The footage shows an instance of allocoprophagy by an adult female moose in spring (May). We summarize the current knowledge about coprophagy in deer and briefly discuss potential drivers and possible implications for disease transmission. Further research is needed to determine whether coprophagy occurs frequently in moose and whether this behavior is positive (e.g., increased intake of nutrients) or negative (increased infection by parasites or pathogens).