Big Muscles, Bad Attitude - The Elk As a Pest
Normally you wouldn't consider deer as pests.
But with the case of deforestation put in perspective, this means that deer have now a much smaller natural habitat and go into human territory more frequently, where they become either roadkill, hunter's game or really annoying (and sometimes dangerous) pests.
Add to that the wiping out of some of the deer's natural predators like the wolf, cougar and bear, you have a growing problem on your hands.
It would have been alright if it were an ordinary kind of deer that invaded your territory, but when it is something as large, dignified and powerful as a full-grown elk, you have cause for alarm.
It is one of the biggest species of deer and one of the largest animals in North America.
Apart from their size, they are extremely adaptable and have become real threats to endemic species in places they have been introduced.
So what does the elk look like? It is extremely large and regal, with males standing about 5 feet at the shoulders and measuring some 8 feet long.
There have been accounts of large elk weighing about 1300 pounds.
That's a whole lot of animal to tackle! They have huge antlers, and the growth of these is spurred on by testosterone.
After the breeding season in late fall, males shed their antlers corresponding to a drop in testosterone levels.
They have a reddish hue to their coloring and are popular as herding animals.
Bulls have loud vocalizations called 'bugling' which can range for miles.
It is one of the most unique calls in nature, akin to the wolf's howl.
Females are attracted to the loudest and most constant bugler of all.
Another threat that the elk poses (apart from its aggression in the mating season) is the number of infectious diseases that it can spread to local livestock.
This makes the elk a beautiful animal that is best seen in the wild and not in your farm or back yard.
But with the case of deforestation put in perspective, this means that deer have now a much smaller natural habitat and go into human territory more frequently, where they become either roadkill, hunter's game or really annoying (and sometimes dangerous) pests.
Add to that the wiping out of some of the deer's natural predators like the wolf, cougar and bear, you have a growing problem on your hands.
It would have been alright if it were an ordinary kind of deer that invaded your territory, but when it is something as large, dignified and powerful as a full-grown elk, you have cause for alarm.
It is one of the biggest species of deer and one of the largest animals in North America.
Apart from their size, they are extremely adaptable and have become real threats to endemic species in places they have been introduced.
So what does the elk look like? It is extremely large and regal, with males standing about 5 feet at the shoulders and measuring some 8 feet long.
There have been accounts of large elk weighing about 1300 pounds.
That's a whole lot of animal to tackle! They have huge antlers, and the growth of these is spurred on by testosterone.
After the breeding season in late fall, males shed their antlers corresponding to a drop in testosterone levels.
They have a reddish hue to their coloring and are popular as herding animals.
Bulls have loud vocalizations called 'bugling' which can range for miles.
It is one of the most unique calls in nature, akin to the wolf's howl.
Females are attracted to the loudest and most constant bugler of all.
Another threat that the elk poses (apart from its aggression in the mating season) is the number of infectious diseases that it can spread to local livestock.
This makes the elk a beautiful animal that is best seen in the wild and not in your farm or back yard.
