Details
Cervus canadensis
Elk is a large deer of North America and eastern Asia, known for male antlers and autumn bugles. The name elk can be confusing because in some regions it refers to the moose rather than wapiti.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It moves seasonally through forests, meadows, mountain valleys, and lower winter ranges. Main habitat types in this guide are forest, grassland, mountain.
Typical length 210-270 cm, weight 170 kg-500 kg. Males carry large antlers and shaggy dark necks, and the pale rump patch is conspicuous.
It is most active around dawn and dusk and a herd-forming species. During the rut, males defend groups of females and advertise with bugling calls.
It is herbivorous. Grasses, sedges, leaves, shoots, and bark are used as seasonal forage.
Females usually bear one calf in spring or early summer, and calves hide at first.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. The name elk can be confusing because in some regions it refers to the moose rather than wapiti.
