Elk

Elk

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Photo courtesy of
Indiana Elk Breeders Association © 2000
WAPITI.NET

Elk were once common on the territory of almost the whole of the Northern Hemisphere. Nowadays, the population of these wild animals is scarce in most places. The most abundant of the wild herds remaining, live in North America including Canada to New Mexico. Efforts were taken to protect the species from going extinct and to reestablish the population of the Elk also called Red Deer or Wapiti on the continent.

There is a particular confusion of names since what is called "Elk" in Europe is in reality a relative of the North American moose. Therefore, many people prefer to use either scientific name of the animal (Cervus elaphus), or "Wapiti," which stems from the Shawnee Indian name for "white rump."

Elk - Physical Characteristics

Elk is easily recognized by the large antlers (in males), which extend as long as 1.1-1.5 m. It is a large mammal standing about 0.75-1.5 m high and having a robust body with slender legs. The species has a mane that stretches from the neck to the chest. Color, on its back and sides, is lighter than on the rest of the body. The rump is buff. In winter, the Elk is dark brown, whereas in summer it is tan.

The length of the body is 1.6-2.7 m if measured from nose to the tail. Males are usually larger than females and tend to weigh twice as much. The two sexes have dripstones in the corner of the eyes, yet, in rutting male Elk, they are more visible and provide for hunters' legends of having observed a "crying" Elk.

Elks have a good sense of smell and can detect prey at a distance of 656 feet. The Elk's hearing is not so well developed, yet they are alert and try to escape predators once they sense them. As for the sight, Elk rely mostly on smell, so sight is not so important.