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1/ Adult moose are huge, with females averaging more than 800 pounds and males about 1,100; some weigh as much as 1,700 pounds. It’s striking, then, that bugs the size of pinky fingernails—ticks—are bringing some moose populations to their knees. bit.ly/2NlOj4Q
2/ How? It’s complicated. A combination of climate change and seesawing hunting regulations in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine mean that moose are more uniquely vulnerable to hungry bloodsuckers. (Art by Jonathan Bartlett) 
3/ As New England’s climate grows warmer, more ticks survive winter. Furthermore, as the number of moose increase thanks to strict hunting laws, the density of the moose population increases too.
4/ Those moose occupy more space in the forest—brushing up against more trees and picking up more parasites. The ticks, in turn, bleed the moose dry. In some cases, they take one-third of the moose’s weight or half their blood volume.
5/5 It’s a vicious cycle, and the stakes are dire (in addition to being a little gruesome). Read the full feature from @David_Dobbs here: bit.ly/2NlOj4Q
