A moose running on water? Moose cannot run on water just by their size alone. We are myth-busting the viral TikTok video.
Moose are the largest member of the deer family and have unique traits that set them apart from other members.
Recently, a video on TikTok went viral showing a moose running on water.
This has led many people to wonder if walking on water is one of the traits that make them unique.
It’s an optical illusion that made it appear that a moose was running on water in a TikTok video.
Related Reading: Do People Ride Moose? Can It Be Done?
Table of Contents
Moose Running on Water Video
The video on TikTok, shared by a user named kristy_234, appears to show a massive moose running on the water’s surface.
Although it’s an incredible sight, it’s not precisely what it appears to be.
It’s actually an optical illusion.
Debunking the video of a moose running on water.
- It has been suggested that the person filming was in a flat-bottom boat, which can navigate shallower waters than regular boats.
- The scene where a moose appears to be running on the surface of deep water while the user is in a boat is actually filmed in incredibly shallow water while the user rides in the flat-bottom boat.
What Animals Can Run on Water
The video of a moose running on water is actually an optical illusion.
However, there are some animals that can run on water and we will be discussing them.
Additionally, we will explore why these animals can run on water and why moose are unable to do so.
The few animals that can run on the water include:
- Brazilian Pygmy Geckos
- Basilisk Lizard
- Fishing Spiders
- Water Striders
- Western and Clark’s Grebes
- Storm Petrel
If you are familiar with different types of animals, you may have noticed that the list only includes three categories: insects, lizards, and birds.
These creatures have something in common that allows them to run on water.
How Can These Animals Run on Water
These animals share the ability to run on water.
However, it is still unclear why they can do so.
There are four possible explanations.
Lightweight
Nearly all of these animals are so lightweight that the surface tension of water supports their weight.
Hydrophobic Aspects
Hydrophobia means that it repels water.
Most of these animals have some element that repels water – for example:
- The Brazilian Pygmy Gecko has hydrophobic skin, which combined with its tiny size, means it can just float on the surface of the water.
- The Fishing Spider is covered in very short, hydrophobic hairs on their legs, so they splay their legs wide and glide on the surface tension.
- The Water Striders also have hydrophobic legs
Water Bubbles Created With Their Feet
The Basilisk Lizard is perhaps the most famous animal that can run across water surfaces.
The basilisk lizard has long, webbed toes on their hind legs.
When threatened, they can sprint across the water at a speed of about 5 feet per second.
Some Have Wings
During their mating dance, Western and Clark’s Grebes beat their wings and run across the water’s surface with their feet.
While feeding on insects, Storm Petrels walk on the water surface.
Why Can’t Moose Run On Water?
Now that we have covered the main reasons why some creatures can walk on water, it should be clearer why moose cannot.
Moose are enormous creatures.
- Ten feet in length
- Six and a half feet tall
- Generally over 1100 pounds
Being so big, moose naturally break the water tension and are unable to float on the surface like these other animals are.
I wrote this article about the size difference between moose and humans that may be of interest to you.
Moose do not have anything hydrophobic in their body.
Even their fur is not hydrophobic and is used to keep them warm instead of dry.
Moose can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and swim at up to 6 miles per hour, which is impressive given their weight of around 1100 pounds.
At these speeds of a moose running on water, they still sink.
However, most creatures can’t keep themselves from breaking the water tension and fall right through when they try to go into the water, just like humans.
This point is simple: most birds that walk on water use their wings to keep their feet on the water, but moose don’t have wings.
Continue Reading: Do Moose Hide From the Rain? [ANSWERED]
Conclusion
To summarize, the TikTok video that depicts a moose running on the surface of the water is not a magical occurrence.
Rather, it is an optical illusion created by the user being on a boat skimming on shallow water, which makes it appear that the moose is running on the surface of deep water.
In reality, the moose is galloping through very shallow water.
Some animals are capable of running on the surface of the water due to their hydrophobic nature, lightweight body, extreme speed, or wings that provide assistance.
However, moose do not possess any of these characteristics, which makes it impossible for them to run on the surface of the water.
The video is entertaining, but certainly not credible evidence of a moose running on water.
It’s all fun if you take it as entertainment.
Enjoy living the outdoor life!!!