Species › Mammals › Elk

Elk

Cervus canadensis

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Elk (Cervus canadensis)
Safety note: Dangerous — observe from a safe distance.

The Elk, also called Wapiti, is one of North America's largest deer species, with bulls carrying impressive antlers that can span five feet. Males produce a distinctive bugling call during the autumn rut to attract females and warn rival males. Elk undertake seasonal migrations of hundreds of miles between summer mountain meadows and lower winter ranges.

Habitat
Mountain meadows, forests, and open valleys
Diet
Grasses, forbs, shrubs, and bark in winter
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Elk

The best time to see a Elk is March–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 45,739 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Elk? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Elk sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted an Elk?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More mammals

Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew
Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew
Blarina hylophaga
Ermine
Ermine
Mustela erminea
Ethiopian Harsh-furred Rat
Ethiopian Harsh-furred Rat
Lophuromys melanonyx
European Fallow Deer
European Fallow Deer
Dama dama
European Free-tailed Bat
European Free-tailed Bat
Tadarida teniotis
Evening Bat
Evening Bat
Nycticeius humeralis
False Killer Whale
False Killer Whale
Pseudorca crassidens
Fennec Fox
Fennec Fox
Vulpes zerda