The elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis) is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest land mammals in North America and eastern Asia. In the deer family (Cervidae), only the larger moose (Alces alces), which is called an "elk" in Europe, and the sambar (Rusa unicolor) rival the elk in size. Elk are similar to the Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) found in Europe, of which they were long believed to be a subspecies. However, evidence from a 2004 study of the mitochondrial DNA indicates they are a distinct species.
Ten Facts about Elk
- Elk are native to North America, Europe and Asia. The common habitat are mountain meadows and forests.
- The Elk are herbivores and live on a diet of grass, plants, bushes and saplings.
- The name of a male is referred to as a bull. The name of a female is referred to as a cow.
- The name or offspring, or a baby Elk, is a calf.
- The average size of a litter is one or two.
- The collective name for a group of Elk is a herd or gang.
- The sound made by a Elk is referred to as a bark or bugle.
- Fully grown they reach the height of 0.8-1.5 meters. An adult weighs on average 250-450 kg. The antlers range between 1.1 and 1.5 Meters.
- Elk live 20 years or more in captivity but average 10 to 13 years in the wild..
- The gestation period is 240 to 262 days and the offspring weigh between 15 and 16 kilograms (33 and 35 lb).
