Elk
(Scientific Name: Cervus
elaphus)
Description:
Elk range in color from dark brown in winter to tan in summer and
have a characteristic buff colored rump. The head, neck, belly, and
legs are darker than both the back and sides. Elk generally have a
long head with large ears and widely branching antlers as long as
1.1 to 1.5 m from tip to tip are found on males only. A dark shaggy
mane hangs from the neck to the chest. Most males are 10 percent
larger than females and may weigh twice as much.
Habitat: Elk prefer open woodlands and avoid
dense unbroken forests. Elk can be found in coniferous swamps, clear
cuts, aspen-hardwood forests, and coniferous-hardwood forests. They
are found through a wide range of elevations, from sea level to
almost 3000 m.
