Telemetered heart rate as an index of energy expenditure in moose (Alces alces).

Metabolic rate, heart rate and respiratory rate of three adult moose were monitored simultaneously on selected days between January 1982 and October 1983. Heart rate was successfully monitored using two types of implanted radio transmitters. Metabolic rate was significantly (P less than 0.001) correlated with heart rate for individual animals (r = 0.94-0.98). The relationship was best described by an exponential equation. A mean weighted equation predicted metabolic rate within 9% of individual equations. In adult moose cows, heart rate was a more reliable predictor of energy expenditure than respiratory rate.