Elk
Elk (Cervus elaphus) are one of the largest species of the deer family. "Wapiti" is their Indian name. They range in color from dark brown during winter to tan in summer and have a light colored rump. The head, neck, belly and legs are darker than both the back and sides. A dark shaggy mane hangs from the neck to the chest. Most elk stand approximately 3 to 5 feet high at the shoulder and are 6 to 9 feet from nose to tail. They weigh between 500 and 1,000 pounds. Bull (male) elk display large, branching antlers as much as 3 to 5 feet wide, with 5 to 6 points each. They drop their antlers during March or April. Cows (females) do not have antlers. more info
Elk Bugling in the River Mist
© Jess Lee Photography
Elk are very social animals, living in large herds. These herds are matriarchal and are dominated by a single cow.
Elk graze in the open areas and use the forests for cover and protection from the weather.
They prefer open woodlands and high mountain meadows and clearings, avoiding dense unbroken forests.
Elk spend summers in upper elevations, and move to lower areas in the winter.
In spring, the sexes separate; the females
leave to give birth, while bulls form their own separate bands.
As the fall mating season approaches, bulls form harems, which they must defend against other males.
During the late September and early October mating season, male elk can be heard "bugling".
This the sound bulls make when challenging one another for breeding rights.
Bulls are only territorial during the mating season and are otherwise not
aggressive toward other elk.
Mating takes place in early September.
Gestation generally lasts from 8-9 months. Usually a single calf is born in the early spring.
The cow and
her calves will live alone for several weeks. At 16 days the calf is able to join the herd.
Mountain lions, gray wolves, and grizzly bears are common elk predators. Coyotes and bobcats occasionally take younger elk.
Elk feed on grasses, sedges, and forbs in summer and woody growth in the winter months.
They regurgitate their food and "chew cud" to aid in digestion.
Elk browse for food in the early morning and late evening . They are mainly inactive during the day and the middle of the night.
Elk were once found throughout much of the North America.
Today, large populations are found mainly in the western United States.
There are many elk within Yellowstone National Park and they can be seen almost anywhere throughout the park.
They have a home range of approximately 600 square miles.
Most Yellowstone elk migrate to the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the winter months.
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