Elk

Elk, or wapiti, are very large deer from North America. They live at the margins of forests. They primarily graze on grasses in meadows and clearings, but will also browse on shoots and leaves. The bulls grow spectacular antlers starting in spring, and which are shed in winter. For most of the year, elk live in single-sex herds which may number from a few animals up to hundreds, but during the rut in autumn the strongest bulls will assemble harems of about twenty cow elk which must be constantly defended from rivals. Bulls in rut will emit a high pitched wistling "bugle" to announce their presence which carries for kilometers. The calves are born eight months later, are weaned at six months of age, and strike out on their own when one year old.

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