Elk
Rack
created by
Elk, Wapiti, Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), were once
found in much of the Northern Hemisphere, but today large populations
are found in the western United States from Alaska and Canada, south
through New Mexico, and also
a region in Michigan.
They are very social animals and live in summer herds with as many as
400 individuals. Elk browse in the early morning and late evening. They
are inactive during the day and the middle of the night. Elk have a
close association with white-tailed deer, sharing similar environments
and habitats.
The largest elk ever recorded weighed about 1000 lbs. An average healthy bull weighs about 700 lbs.
During the rut, when big bulls are gathering their harems
for mating purposes, a loud, pitched, bugling call is heard throughout
the park. This bugle serves as a warning and challenge to other bulls.
If a second bull responds to a bugle, the two bulls will likely engage
in a battle, crashing their antlers together and then pushing and wrestling
until the weaker one gallops off.
The winner of the battle gets to claim the harem of cows.
Animals
