THE RUT PIT

THE SCENT OF LOVE MOOSEMAN VERSION

Are you ready for an intense moment of the animal kingdom? Hold on tight, because we are entering the famous stage 4 of the rut among moose. And let me tell you: it is wild, fascinating… and frankly fragrant.

At Mooseman Nature Photography, we spend hours observing these forest giants in their natural habitat, so that we can share their most intimate stories with you. It’s not just a passion, it’s our lifelong dream. And today, we’re taking you to the heart of a unique spectacle: the rut pits, a masterpiece of moose seduction.

A fragrant parade

During this period, the males’ hormones are in overdrive. They will do anything to attract the attention of the females… even if they, for their part, are not yet “in the mood”. So how do you keep them around? Easy (well… for a moose): they dig a rut pit.

It’s a small pit, scratched out of the ground, into which the male urinates. Yes, you read that right. But not just any urine: this urine is loaded with pheromones so powerful that they attract anything that moves. Cows, calves, and even other males… they all want to roll in this irresistible scent.

A scent that turns heads

This “scent” is so bewitching that the females, even if they are not yet ready to mate, cannot help but come and rub against it. And it’s not just a matter of the nose: the bull smears himself with this mixture, splashing his antlers and his flank to show that he is “the guy in the place”.

When he stamps his foot, it’s like ringing the bell at a buffet: everyone comes running. And he knows it. It’s his moment.

A fight for territory (and ladies)

But beware, it is not without risk. Some young males try to steal the den of a dominant bull, in the hope of seducing his females. Bad idea! As we have seen, this young bull was caught off guard by the boss of the corner… and he understood that it was better to make a quick getaway.

It’s no better for the females: the boss doesn’t want to share. When a cow decides that this particular rut is hers, she doesn’t hesitate to chase away the others. And she may even slip under a bull still in full work, too impatient to wait!

What exactly is the point of this?

Initially, researchers believed that these pits triggered oestrus in females. In the end, this is not the case. But they have a clear effect: they hold attention. They make the cows stay in the area. And the longer they linger, the more chance the male has of becoming their chosen one when the time comes, in a few weeks.

🎥 Thank you for joining us in the field

Thank you for following us! Nature is a true wilderness theater, and we are here to show you every scene. One rubbing at a time.

What we do here is more than a hobby. It’s a passion. We love living in the forest, observing behavior, and capturing magical moments to share with you.

🔔 Join the adventure!

See you soon in the forest 🌲

MooseMan 🦌📸

🎬 Module content

• 1 Introductory video
• 16 Main videos (English)
• 6 Interactive lessons + 1 Final quiz (20 questions)

🧠 Module objective

This module aims to educate and entertain all nature lovers. Thanks to the immersive videos and interactive quizzes, you will dive into the fascinating world of moose rutting.

⚖️ Legal notice

Under Article 107 of the Copyright Act, the limited use of protected material is authorized without the authorization of the holder of the copyright, for educational purposes.