Elk live in North central PA., Western states and several Canadian provinces in the mountainous woodlands.

Diet: Elk graze on a variety of grasses and forbs.

Reproduction: Elk mate in September and October. They have a gestation period of eight and a half months. A single calf is born in May or June. At birth, a calf weighs bout thirty pounds and can stand about 20 minutes after birth.

Physical Description: Elk are wild hoofed mammals that range in color from dark brown to tan. Elk have a long head with large ears. Males have antlers. A shaggy mane hangs from the neck to the chest. Elk also have characteristically buff colored rumps. Elk range in height from .75m to1.5m high (to the shoulder). Males are larger than females and can weigh twice as much. They have a summer and winter coat. Summer pelage is short, thin, and reddish brown in color. Winter pelage is long, course guard hairs which overlay wooly underfur. Buffy or whitish fur covers the rump and the 4-5 inch tail. Both sexes are colored alike. Calves (young elk) are dappled with spots.

Behavior: Elk are social animals. They can live in herds up to 400 during the summer months. Males become aggressive only during mating season. Herds are matriarchal and are led by a single female. In the spring, the sexes separate, forming different herds. The females leave to give birth, while the males from another herd. After birth, cows and calves form nursery groups. The elk stay in these groups until the calves are ready to join the herd. Elk are most active at dawn and dusk.

Fun Facts:

	The word "elk" comes from the German "elch", the name for the European moose.
	The elk is called "wapiti" which is an Indian word meaning "white deer."
	Can run 30 m.p.h. for short distances. Jumps well and can swim readily. Keen sense of smell and hearing.
	Bulls grow antlers annually which are covered by velvet. Bulls carry their antlers into early spring.