| American
Elk
(Cervus elaphus) |
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Habitat:
Historic Minnesota native. Mountainous areas of Western US and Canada.
Diet: Graze and browse on grasses, twigs, and leaves.
Vitals: Dark Brown fur on the head and neck, creamy
gray fur on the backs and flanks, with a pale hind end. Males stand
5 feet at the shoulders and weigh 700-900 lbs. Females 100-200 lbs
lighter. Life span 15-20 years.
Breeding: Male only joins herd during the breeding
season from August to October. Males have a call during the breeding
season called a "bugle" that can be heard for miles. Gestation
34 weeks, calf weaned in 9-12 months, mature after a year and a
half.
Behavior/Adaptions: Males have antlers that average
over 4 feet in length each. Lost in March and re-grow by fall. Ritualized
fighting to reduce serious injury.
Additional Info: Also known as the "Wapiti".
Called a Red Deer in Europe.
At the PGZ: "Thunder" Male, B-2002, #13R
female, B-1996, #3R female, B-1998, #96 female, B-2005, #76 female,
B-2005.
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