Final answer:
Moose typically browse by stripping leaves and twigs from branches, often where they can reach without antler obstruction. Their browsing is more influenced by branch accessibility and moose density rather than antler configuration. The large antlers primarily serve for sexual selection and establishing dominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When moose browse woody foliage, they typically do so by grasping twigs and branches in their mouths and stripping the leaves and small twigs from the main stem. Their large antlers, particularly in males, can sometimes make navigation through dense trees more challenging, but this does not impact how they browse foliage. Instead, the orientation of browsing may depend more on the height and accessibility of branches rather than the antlers. Moose often browse at levels where branches are reachable without the obstruction of their antlers, which correlates with the observation that lower branches tend to be absent in forests due to either natural shedding or browsing activity by moose and other animals. The antlers serve other purposes, primarily for sexual selection during the mating season and for establishment of dominance among males.
Information on moose densities, such as high density (HD) and very high density (VHD) areas, can impact the browsing behavior. In areas of higher moose densities, more browsing and thus, potentially more perpendicular browsing may occur due to increased competition for resources. Furthermore, environmental factors, such as the presence of the deer ked, a type of parasite that affects moose, can influence their behavior and distribution, which indirectly can affect browsing habits.