What is this moose doing?

[houghton_hunter]

Caught this yearling in Colorado twisting around, wondering what its doing. My instinct says just playing, maybe trying to nock ticks off its face. Wondering if anyone has better ideas.

 

[BBob]

Same exact thing my dog does when he’s got too much pent up energy

 

[AKDoc]

I'm guessing it's trying to evade hornets/wasps or bees...or maybe just watched the morning news

 

[cfdjay]

We call it "the yips"! lol

 

[wytx]

Hope it's not brain worm.
Just playing looks like.

 

[akcabin]

I'm guessing it's trying to evade hornets/wasps or bees...or maybe just watched the morning news

Musta read the ADN

 

[akcabin]

I suspect that the thick coat of hair kinda itches a bit. And bugs. Maybe getting used to tender antlers

At least when I'm out for a while n get all scruffy n such and the blood sucking bugs are waking up. Biting at my butt I get a bit jumpy tooooo

 

[TreeDog]

I think the technical term for this behavior is called "the zoomies"

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Could be bot or warble flies irritating her. Caribou do this a lot too in early summer. Animals lose their winter hair thickness which makes it easier for fly larvae to work their lifecycle.