Animale
Eurasian elk
Long legs, a prominent upper lip and antlers that males replace every year.
Lingua dei contenuti
Long legs support the elk’s bulky body, and a fold of hairy skin hangs beneath its neck. Its elongated muzzle ends in a large upper lip that projects beyond the lower one. The elk is the largest member of the deer family. Males are substantially heavier than females, but it is their antlers that most dramatically change their appearance through the year.
Antlers grow in spring and are shed in winter. They are not a permanent part of the head. Their shape varies: broad, flattened palms occur alongside more branching forms. Not every adult male therefore resembles a picture-book elk with enormous flat antlers. Females do not carry antlers.
Elk inhabit cool wooded regions and often stay near lakes, rivers and wetlands, where they find food. They eat plants, then rest and chew the cud. A dense coat provides insulation against cold. A female cares for her offspring, which stays with her roughly until the next calf is born. Besides the tall legs, notice the proportions of the head: large ears and a drooping muzzle clearly distinguish an elk from a red deer.
Per bambini
An elk is easy to recognise by its very long legs and big, drooping muzzle. A fold of hairy skin hangs below its neck. It is the largest member of the deer family, bigger than a red deer or roe deer.
A male grows a new set of antlers every year. They grow in spring and fall off in winter. Some are broad and flat; others look more like branching twigs. Females have no antlers. Missing broad antlers does not mean you are looking at a different animal.
Elk like cool forests and places near water, where they find plants to eat. After feeding they rest and chew the cud. A mother looks after her calf for about a year. Watch quietly and compare the size of the ears and muzzle: both are especially noticeable on an elk.
Domanda 1 di 2
What is the yearly cycle of an elk’s antlers?
- Posizione
- Eurasian elk enclosure