Species · GBIF taxon 8600904
Elk
Cervus canadensisAlso known as Wapiti, Rocky Mountain Elk, Manitoban Elk, Roosevelt Elk
Elk are majestic, social giants of the deer family, easily recognized by their massive antlers, light brown bodies, and distinct pale rump patches. During the autumn breeding season, bulls emit a haunting, high-pitched bugle that echoes across valleys to attract mates and challenge rivals. They gather in large, matriarchal herds for most of the year, migrating between high mountain meadows in summer and sheltered valleys in winter.
HerbivoreMigratorySocial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses, sedges, tree bark, twigs, and shrubs
Predators
- Gray Wolf
- Cougar
- Grizzly Bear
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, chronic wasting disease, and climate change
HabitatsConiferous forests, alpine meadows, grasslands, and shrublands
Life span10 to 13 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyCervidae
- GenusCervus
- SpeciesCervus canadensis
Native Introduced
Native range in olive; established introduced range in rust.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Large and unpredictable; maintain a distance of at least 25 yards, especially during autumn rut and spring calving.
- Why it is dangerous
- Bulls during the autumn rut and cows protecting spring calves can charge and trample humans, causing severe injury.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for massive antlers on bulls or protective cows standing near hidden calves in tall grass.
- What to do
- Never approach closely; back away slowly if an elk stares directly at you or raises its head.
Responsible observation
- Listen for bugling: Visit valleys at dawn or dusk in September and October to hear the haunting mating calls.
- Watch the ears: An elk with ears pinned back and head raised high is showing signs of agitation.
- Use binoculars: Observe herd dynamics from a safe distance to avoid disrupting their natural feeding behaviors.
Co-occurring Competitor USDA photo by Scott Bauer / Public domain · cc0
Primary Predator User:Mas3cf / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Paxson Woelber / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Vietnamese Sika Deer" by elPadawan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
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Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
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