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NORTH AMERICAN ELK
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cervus elaphus canadensis
HOUSE NAME: "Sioux" Female
HABITAT: Prairies and woodland edges of Western North America.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
FUN FACT: Once a plains inhabitant, their original range was greatly reduced by the constant pressure of advancing settlers. They retreated to wooded and mountain areas.
DIET: They prefer grass and shrubs when available. In winter, they will browse fir, juniper, pine, and many deciduous trees when the ground is covered with snow. May supplement diet with licks that help grow healthy coats and produce milk.
DESCRIPTION: A member of the deer family, the North American Elk is also called “Wapiti” (pronounced Wahpetee) which is from the language of the Ojibwa Indian people from the Lake Superior area. This animal has a dark brown head and under parts; a maned neck; grayish brown legs, sides and back; and beige rump and tail. The female (cow) is somewhat darker overall and less contrasting colored than the male (bull). Its long legs help maneuvering through tall grass, thick forest undergrowth and deep snow. Bulls have long branched antlers, reaching up to 66” across and weighing up to 40 pounds, they are shed each winter after rut. Second in size to the moose, the adult elk matures at lengths between 85.4 to 109.8 inches and weights between 462 to 900 pounds.
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