Elk

Elk Facts

• This unquestionably majestic creature most typically goes by the deceptively short common name of Elk in most parts of its natural range. The beautiful animal does, however, have at least one other general title it’s known by. That’s the equally simple description of wapiti.
• Inside of the scientific community, though, it’s possibly much better known by its purely technical moniker. Thankfully, however, that’s a comparatively simple term for the layperson to pronounce, at least as such things go. The marvel holds the formal tag Cervus canadensis.
• This wonder of Nature received that designation due to the efforts of Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben. The German naturalist accomplished the first formal recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy deed in 1777.
• This magnificent mammal easily merits note for several reasons. For one fact, it ranks as the second-largest known member of the deer family. Only the moose exceeds it in size. The wonder also qualifies as one of the largest terrestrial mammals within its entire range.
• Fortunately, the amazing Elk appears to be maintaining a population base that’s still both stable and sufficient. That pleasant state also seems to hold true throughout its entire range. The IUCN thus currently shows it as Least Concern on its Red List of Threatened Species.
• The remarkable creature nevertheless still faces the same multiple potential threats to its continued existence as all forms of life on earth today. Most of those dangers stem from the varied actions of mankind. They include the related perils of habitat loss and climate change.

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Elk Physical Description

The breathtaking animal known as the Elk typically immediately captures the attention of those fortunate enough to encounter one. Unlike some species, however, they do so for several reasons. That’s because it’s not merely a large creature, but a beautiful one as well, in its own unique way.

In terms of physical description, thhis wonder of evolution follows a pattern common among its kindred. That’s due to the fact that it displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphsim. In its case, though, this trait manifests in both size and appearance.

On average, males of the species attain significantly greater measurements than that of their female counterparts. This does, however, hold true more in weight than in height. The larger males average 4.5 – 5 ft (1.4 – 1.5 m) at the shoulder. Their mass averages 700 – 1,100 lb (320 – 500 kg).

Females, though, only reach slightly less in average height, but markedly less in overall mean weight. This gives that gender a much leaner overall body shape. This gender reaches an average height at the shoulder of 4 – 4.5 ft (1.2 – 1.4 m), and an average mass of 500 – 600 lb (225 – 275 kg).

The remarkable animal remains especially noted for its very long, slender legs, which are well adapted for running and jumping. The hooves evolved as cloven and provide good traction in various terrains. Intriguingly, the front legs also developed as typically shorter than the hind legs.

Despite the massize dimensions of the rest of the creature’s body, the tail itself stands out for its very lack of this. This particular aspect of this masterpiece of Nature only averages approximately 5 – 6 in (12 – 15 cm) in length. The unique appendage also tends to be somewhat lighter in color.

Individuals of both genders evolved extremely large, dark colored eyes and a long, narrow head. The nose also developed as relatively broad and dark, and their ears present as large and pointed. The males additionally stand out due to having a pronounced neck ruff that the females lack.

The most notable gender-based difference among the sexes of the Elk, though, without doubt remains that of the incredible antlers. Only males have these features, which sometimes span up to 4 ft (1.2 m) and weigh up to 40 lb (18 kg). These the animal sheds and regrows each year, however.

The stunning mammal also evolved a two-layered coat, including a dense undercoat and a longer outer coat. Its color varies with the seasons. In summer, it has a reddish-brown coat, while in winter, it becomes more grayish-brown. A light-colored rump patch and a dark brown mane also appear.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: mammalia
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Family: Cervidae
• Genus: Cervus
• Species: C. canadensis

Elk Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The stunning Elk evolved as native to an extraordinarily broad expanse of the earth’s surface. In fact, the full extent of that zone of habitation might surprise some of those people who learn of it. That’s because this marvel developed as native to parts of North America, Asia, and Europe.

Today, the greatest remaining concentrations of the fabulous animal seem to exist in the region of North America. There, the species appears in western and central Canada. It also lives in numerous regions in the United States, and even appears in the Sierra Madre Occidental, in Mexico.

However, smaller concentrations do still continue to survive in other scattered parts of the globe. For now, it’s known to still live in limited areas of Russia, in the forested regions of Siberia. Similar-sized populations also continue to exist in forested areas in parts of northeastern China.

Nature provided this distinctive mammal with a decided helpful evolutionary advantage that some of its multiple relatives lack. That’s a high degree of adaptability regarding its habitat. It’s therefore found within a wide variety of different types of ecosystems within its habitat range.

It thrives especially well in mixed coniferous forests, being composed primarily of pine, fir, and spruce. These areas provide cover and forage. Yet, it also loves deciduous forests, filled with aspen, oak, and birch trees, particularly in transitional zones between the forests and grasslands.

Still other areas this marvel of Nature frequently inhabits, depending on its specific region, include such widely varied types as temperate rainforests, mountain meadows, prairies, and grasslands. Yet others also consist of both alpine and subalpine zones, river valleys, and even wetlands.

Like other members of the deer Family, the stunning Elk evolved entirely as herbivorous in nature. Unlike its kin, however, it evolved as a browser. It primarily feeds in the mornings and evenings. Its diet varies with the seasons. Local grasses comprise a staple throughout the year, though.

During the warmer seasons, the remarkable animal mainly consumes massive quantities of various flowering plants and tree sprouts. But, in the winter, it’s usually forced to feed on tree bark. The massive animal also generally consumes an average of about 20 lb (9.1 kg) of food per day!

Despite its great size, the natural wonder does have its own natural predators. These include brown bears, black bears, wolves, coyotes, cougars, and Siberian tigers, in Asia. These usually only prey on calves or injured adults, though. The wolves and coyotes only do so in packs, even then.

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