Elk - The Animals of British Columbia, Canada. The Elk of BC


Badger
Beaver
Bighorn Mountain Sheep
Black Bear
Bobcat
California Sea Lion
Caribou
Chipmunk
Cougar
Coyote
Dall's Porpoise
Deer
Elk
Grey Whale
Grey Wolf
Grizzly Bear
Humpback Whale
Killer Whale
Lynx
Marmot
Marten
Mink
Mountain Goat
Moose
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Porcupine
Raccoon
Red Fox
Red Squirrel
Sea Otter
Striped Skunk
Wolverine

Animals
Birds
Fish
Wildflowers
Trees
Survival
Parks
Trails





British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide


Elk
Cervus elaphus


Description - The Elk is the second largest member of the deer family with slender legs, a thick neck and is coloured brown or tan with darker underparts. The antlers, only grown by males, are large with many tines, the main beam up to 150 cm long.

Distribution - The Elk occurs in high, open mountain pastures in summer and lower, wooded slopes or dense woods in the winter. They are most abundant along the western side of the rockies but they also can be found near Golden, Bush River, Forest Lake, Lucerne area, Seebach Creek, Pear River area, and Tuchodi Lake area.

Biology - This nocturnal creature is primarily a grazer feeding on woody vegetation and lichen. Once the velvet of his antlers has been discarded, the bull begins assembling his harem of up to 60 cows. The gestation period is 255-275 days. The Elk's main predator is the mountain lion and sometimes bears get the young.

Elk Tracks

Tracks - The track of an elk is larger and rounder than that of a deer and somewhat rounder and smaller than that of a moose. Look for blackened, rough bark on aspen trees to distinguish the elks habitat.

Straddle: 20 cm (8 in)
Stride: 65 - 70 cm (26 - 28 in)
Track: 10 cm (4 in) long / 7.5 cm (3 in) wide


Follow Us On Facebook


List of BC Adventure
Advertisers

Site Info
Advertise With Us
Awards
About Us
Contact Us
Free Vacation Guides
BC Vacation Guides
Coastal Vacations
Thompson Okanagan
EcoTourism
Fishing Vacations
Guest Ranch Guide
Romantic Getaways
Wilderness Vacations
Winter Vacations
The Rockies Guide
Login







Elk - The Animals of British Columbia, Canada. The Elk of BC