Elk - Reproduction
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Photo courtesy of
Wild Rose Elk Ranch Ltd © 2001-2002
Pro Ine Multimedia Services Ltd
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Usually mute, Elk become highly vocal during a mating season, which triggers the attention of many wildlife observers for the scene of males competing for the right of mating; it is a fantastic view. In early September, the male will start to produce calls that can be heard day and night. These calls along with other means of communication serve as indicators of the male's readiness to mate and attract the females.
Elk are highly sociable animals that live in herds of about 400 species. A female Elk usually leads a herd. Yet, during a mating season, a male will form harems consisting of 20-30 females. It is interesting to know that though the male reaches sexual maturity at the age of 16 months, it rarely mates until the age of 2 years for there is high competition.
The Elk prefers to avoid fights and shows its rank by demonstrating the antlers. The bigger the antlers are, the more power the male has. If no male quits, a fight is possible with two Elk going with their antlers side by side.
Gestation period is normally 249-262 days with one calf usually born. Twins are also possible, though rare. The female drops the newborn to the ground and eats placenta. The calves have light spots on the back and weigh not more than 15-16 kg. The female cares for them and joins the herd only in a few weeks. By the age of 60 days, the calves are fully weaned. Elk are known to stay with their mother until they are two years of age.
Elk - Breeders Links
Birch Creek Deer Farm - Whitetail deer farm breeding bucks, fawns, and does. Also offering deer and Elk feed. Located in Walnutport, PA, USA.
Bull Run Elk Ranch - Minnesota Elk ranchers provide guide to breeding stock, genetic information, antler supplements, and semen sales.
Bush Farm Bison Centre - See bison, Elk and red deer at Bush Farm Bison Centre.
Dakota Wild Elk Ranch - Breeders of Rocky Mountain Elk. Located northeast from Sturgis, South Dakota, USA.
Elk Breeders - A directory of Elk and wapiti ranching and farming. Information on Elk breeding, fencing, facilities, feed, artificial insemination.
Elk Springs Ranch - Purebred registered Rocky Mountain Elk. Elk velvet and antler pills available. Located in Garden Valley, Idaho.
Eltom Enterprises - Small producers of deer and Elk focusing on genetics, size and disposition. Located in Rocanville, Saskatchawan, Canada.
Erin Valley Elk - Pure bred Canadian Elk farm located near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Photo courtesy of
Wild Rose Elk Ranch Ltd © 2001-2002
Pro Ine Multimedia Services Ltd
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Extreme Bulls: Information on Elk Ranches - Information on Elk ranches and Elk. (Canada)
Mendicant Ridge Elk Ranch - Ranchers, Ed and Pam Bliss feature their adventure raising Elk in a natural Colorado setting. Philosophy, photo gallery, and contact information.
TNT Elk Ranch - Raising Elk such as Luke and Rusty, with many offspring from King and Undenia-Bull. Located in Bismarck, ND.
Elk - General Information Links
All about Deer - Information on this ruminant mammal. Covers history, species, and seasonal activities. Includes a list of related books and a photo gallery. Also available in French.
Animal Diversity Web - Cervus elaphus - Discover the mating and eating behavior of Elk. Tells the history of their encounters with humans in North America.
Bull Elk (Cervus elaphus) - Information on the Bulk Elk.
Discoverlife: Elk - Species description, phylogeny, geographic distribution, habitat, natural history, and conservation biology.
Elk Species Description - Contains Elk description, diet, behavior, and habitat information.
Elk Guide - Guide defines mammals, and provides pictures of a variety of mammal tracks, including black bears, coyote, Elk, mountain lions, and raccoons.
Elk in Brief - Study the mammal's diet, behavior, distribution, anatomy, antlers, venison, habits, species, and habitat. Read on muntjac, white-tailed, red, mule, and barking deer.
Elk Physical Characteristics - Information on this ruminant mammal. Discusses about its different species, anatomy, reproduction cycle, habitat, and related diseases, and includes a guide to own and maintain them as pets. Also features photos.
Elk Profile - Appearance, diet, habitat, and behavior of the Elk.
Megaloceros, Irish Elk, Giant deer - Megaloceros is often confusingly called the Irish Elk, although it was found all across Europe, not just Ireland, and is technically a deer rather than an Elk.
North American Elk - North American Elk are divided into six subspecies of the red deer (Cervus elaphus). Learn more.
North American Elk or Red deer - Physical characteristics, food habits and habitat, reproduction and biological cycles, enemies and predators.
Notes on the Elk - Brief notes on the species.
Red x Sika Hybridization - Proposals to protect red deer from hybridization with Sika deer.
Return of the Elk - Article contains an overview of different endangered, increasing, and extinct Elk, including the eastern Elk from the southeastern US.
The Deer - Information on the family including the Elk.
The Irish Elk in All His Glory - This wonderful creature is now extinct for 5,000 years. It was the largest example of the deer family and it roamed the Irish forests.
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Photo courtesy of
Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
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The Pennsylvania Elk Herd - Detailed information about the Pennsylvania Elk Herd and North American Elk in general.
The Progressive - Who is to Blame for Mad Deer? - Article on outbreaks of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and Elk discusses the infection's possible threats to human health.
The Return of the Elk - Examines the re-emergence of the Elk in the state of Utah and the plan to further restore the mammal in the South-East US.
Wapiti Description - Description of the Wapiti and information on relative species.
Wapiti or Elk - Discusses the behaviors of the Elk and their limited distribution in Texas.
Wapiti Profile - Profiles this animal and gives a picture.
Yahooligans: Elk - Brief information of the habitat and life cycle of the Elk.
