Meet the Elk
Elk are one of the largest species of animals in the deer family and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America, as well as Central and East Asia. Male Elk have large antlers that they shed each year. They have thick bodies with slender legs and short tails.
Park Location: Safari Park Drive-thru
About the Elk
Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. They are social animals and tend to form groups that can reach up to 400 individuals. Male Elk, or Bulls, have a loud, high-pitched, whistle-like vocalization known as bugling, which showcase the male’s strength and fitness over great distances.
| Height | 2’6″ to 4″11″ (to the shoulder) |
| Weight | Male 392-1,016 pounds; Female 377-644 pounds |
| Diet | Grasses, plants, leaves, bark |
| Gestation Period | 8-9 months |
| Life Span | 10-13 years |
| Threats | Poaching, urban sprawl |
Elk are fancy dressers
Male elk shed their antlers every year. When new antlers start to grow, they are covered in a fuzzy skin called velvet.
