Elk

Cervus elaphus

The Elk is also called the Wapiti, a Shawnee word meaning "white-rumped deer," referring to the light-colored rump of this impressive deer. When the first European settlers arrived in North America, the Elk lived in eastern forests and on the prairies, but the eastern Elks were soon hunted to extinction. Today the Elk lives mainly in the Rocky Mountains.

Look For : A very large reddish-brown deer with massive antlers, a light rump patch, and long legs.

Length : Body 6-9' long, about 5' high; tail 3-8" long; 450-1,089 lb.

Habitat : Western forests. Migrates from mountain meadows in summer, down through several forest types, to sagebrush flats in winter.

Range : From southwestern Canada south to New Mexico and Arizona; along coast from Vancouver Island to northern California; small populations elsewhere.