![]() ![]() ![]() How fast? Well, they’ve been known to grow as much as one inch in one day. But how much do you really know about these magnificent mammals? Here are a few of the most fascinating – and occasionally weird – elk facts.ĪMAZING ANTLERS: An elk’s antlers – which only grow on bulls – don’t just look cool. Human food is not healthy for the animals.Often known as the unofficial mascots of Estes Park, the elk are certainly the most oft-spotted, and popular wildlife around. It conditions the animals to view people as a food source, leading to the possibility of property damage and human injury and Offering human food to elk (or any wild animal) is harmful in two ways: Also, for your safety and for the elk's safety, DO NOT FEED the animals. Large animals should be respected at all times, especially bulls and cows with calves. Do not approach or attempt to provoke them. Fortunately, Americans concerned with the survival of the elk called for regulated hunting seasons and initiated elk recovery programs.Įlk appear relatively docile, but they can be unpredictable and dangerous. As a result of over-harvest and habitat destruction, elk populations began to decline, reaching a low ofīy the 20th century, two of the six subspecies, including the Eastern elk which lived throughout the eastern United States, were extinct. Also, market demands for elk products such as hides, antlers, and "ivories" encourage the harvest of elk.Įlk habitat was lost as thousands of acres were cleared for farms and developing towns. European settlers hunted elk to provide food for their families and because they feared the elk would compete with livestock. Prior to their arrival, an estimated 10 million elk ranged across the United States. Elk thrived in North America until the first Europeans began settling the area. Elk eat an average of 3 pounds of food per day for every 100 pounds of body weight therefore, a bull elk weighing 800 pounds would eat about 24 pounds of forage each day. Bark, pine needles, and tree lichens are also eaten in smaller quantities. Their diet includes grasses, tree leaves, twigs, and shrubs. During other seasons, males can be found alone or in small bachelor groups.Įlk can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and mountains. ( A recording of a bugling elk) The rut is characterized by harems, which are groups of cows and calves, controlled by a dominant bull. This is typically a good time to see and hear elk. Cows and calves live in groups, but are generally only accompanied by bull elk during the mating season, or "rut." The rut occurs in autumn.Įlk begin "bugling"-their signature mating call-in early autumn. At birth a calf weighs about 35 pounds.Įlk form herds which offer protection against predators. A cow usually gives birth to a single calf, but on rare occasions there will be twins. Calves are hidden during the first few weeks following birth until they are able to run from predators. Cows separate from the herd and go into hiding during calving. The gestation period of elk is approximately 8.5 months, with calves born from late May through early July. The elk's molars and incisors provide the best indication of the animal's age. The "ivories" (also called tusks, whistlers, or buglers) were primarily used as decorative beads, pendants, and necklaces, and were very valuable due to their rarity. An elk's canine teeth, made of ivory, are unique and were highly prized by both Native Americans and European settlers. Teeth in elk are similar to other deer except for the presence of upper canine teeth. At this point, the velvet covering dries and falls off or is rubbed off on trees or shrubs. The blood flow to the antlers stops in August, when the antlers have reached their full size. During the summer months, antlers can grow up to one inch per day, making it the fastest growing bone known. Velvet, which covers antlers during the growth phase, carries blood to the growing bone tissue. ![]() Antlers can weigh up to 40 pounds per set. Therefore, female elk will generally select a dominant bull with large antlers. Large antlers advertise dominance and the ability to defend against predators and other bulls. Antler growth is in preparation for the mating season, which primarily occurs in September and October. Antlers, unlike the horns of bison, are shed every spring and a new set is grown. Only bulls have antlers.Īntlers play a very important role in mate selection. Female elk, known as cows, weigh between 500 and 600 pounds, and stand an average of 4.5 feet at shoulder height. Once fully grown, a bull elk averages 5 feet tall at the shoulders and can weigh between 7 pounds. Adult male elk, referred to as bulls, attain their largest size at 7 years old. Niimiipuutímt: wewukiye (weh-WOOK-yeh) (male)Įlk are the second largest members of the deer family.Niimiipuutímt: tasiipx (tas-EEK-pahk) (female). ![]()
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