Roosevelt Elk
The Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti), also known as Olympic elk, is the largest of the four surviving subspecies of elk in North America.[2] They live in the rain forests of the Pacific Northwest and were introduced to Alaska's Afognak and Raspberry Islands in 1928.[3][4] The desire to protect the elk was one of the primary forces behind the establishment of the Mount Olympus National Monument (later Olympic National Park) in 1909.[5]
Description[edit]Adults grow to around 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m) in length and stand 2.5–5 ft (0.75–1.5 m) tall at the shoulder.[4] Elk bulls generally weigh between 700 and 1100 lb(300–500 kg), while cows weigh 575–625 lb (260–285 kg).[2] Some mature bulls from Raspberry Island in Alaska have weighed nearly 1300 lb (600 kg).[2]
From late spring to early fall, Roosevelt elk feed on herbaceous plants, such as grasses and sedges.[4] During winter months, they feed on woody plants, including highbush cranberry, elderberry, and devil's club.[4] Roosevelt elk are also known to eat blueberries, mushrooms, lichens, and salmonberries.[4]
Life cycle In the wild, Roosevelt elk rarely live beyond 12 to 15 years, but in captivity have been known to live over 25 years.[4]Olympic National Park is home to the largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk in the Pacific Northwest. Named for President Theodore Roosevelt, they are the largest variety of elk in North America. Both males and females have dark brown heads and pale brown bodies. Males are larger than females, and identifiable by a set of antlers. Roosevelt elk are much larger than the black-tail deer that inhabit the same areas.
Habitat:
Elk are relatively versatile, and often occupy a range of habitats, from montane meadows and forests down to the lowland rain forests, where there is ample food. An excellent place to see elk is the Hoh Rain Forest. These non-migratory herds stay in the Hoh area throughout the year, banding together in herds of around 20 and consisting of females and their calves. Male elk, or bulls, can be seen singly or in pairs. September is a great time to hear them bugling, as it is mating season and the males compete for groups of females.
Diet:
Roosevelt elk feed mainly on ferns, shrubs, and lichens from the rain forest, as well as meadow grasses.Common Name:Roosevelt Elk (Olympic Elk)Kingdom:AnimaliaPhylum:ChordataClass:MammaliaOrder:ArtiodactylaFamily:CervidaeGenus:CervusSpecies:Cervus canadensisSubspecies:Cervus canadensis rooseveltiThe Roosevelt Elk, also known as Olympic Elk or Wapiti, are the largest of the elk subspecies. Mature elk can weigh anywhere from 600 to 1,100 pounds (275 to 500kg) when mature, with a height at the shoulder up to 5 feet (150 cm). The Roosevelt Elk tend to be a deeper darker brown than the relatively smaller Rocky Mountain Elk, and have a darker mane and yellowish-brown rump. Roosevelt Elk tend to have narrower antlers than the Rocky Mountain elk, but usually have much more mass and height. The average length of a Roosevelt Elk is 8 feet, but mature bull elk have also been measured up to 10 feet.Front Hoof PrintRear Hoof Print
Roosevelt Elk Distribution/Habitat
The Roosevelt Elk are located in the rain forests of the western Cascade Mountains, from northern California, Oregon, Washington, and into British Columbia, with the largest herd (about 5,000) being located in Olympic National Park in Washington State. Roosevelt Elk were also transplanted from the Olympic Peninsula to Afognak Island (Alaska) in 1929. The herd is now roughly 1,200 strong. The elk located on this particular island have also been known to weigh as much as 1,300 pounds (590 kg) mostly due to the abundance in their food supply. In the early 1900’s the Roosevelt Elk population plummeted to only about a dozen animals. Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter and an active contributor to wildlife conservation, created Olympic National Park (then called Mount Olympus National Monument) for future generations to enjoy and to provide protection for the Roosevelt Elk.
Roosevelt Elk Reproduction
Credit: Walter Siegmund ©2005 Walter SiegmundRoosevelt Elk calves are usually born from mid-May to mid-June and weigh between 30 to 35 pounds at birth. Calves are born with spots which are gone by the end of summer. The calves are weaned from their mother’s milk at two months of age, leaving the comfort of their mother just before the breeding season begins in the next year.
Description[edit]Adults grow to around 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m) in length and stand 2.5–5 ft (0.75–1.5 m) tall at the shoulder.[4] Elk bulls generally weigh between 700 and 1100 lb(300–500 kg), while cows weigh 575–625 lb (260–285 kg).[2] Some mature bulls from Raspberry Island in Alaska have weighed nearly 1300 lb (600 kg).[2]
From late spring to early fall, Roosevelt elk feed on herbaceous plants, such as grasses and sedges.[4] During winter months, they feed on woody plants, including highbush cranberry, elderberry, and devil's club.[4] Roosevelt elk are also known to eat blueberries, mushrooms, lichens, and salmonberries.[4]
Life cycle In the wild, Roosevelt elk rarely live beyond 12 to 15 years, but in captivity have been known to live over 25 years.[4]Olympic National Park is home to the largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk in the Pacific Northwest. Named for President Theodore Roosevelt, they are the largest variety of elk in North America. Both males and females have dark brown heads and pale brown bodies. Males are larger than females, and identifiable by a set of antlers. Roosevelt elk are much larger than the black-tail deer that inhabit the same areas.
Habitat:
Elk are relatively versatile, and often occupy a range of habitats, from montane meadows and forests down to the lowland rain forests, where there is ample food. An excellent place to see elk is the Hoh Rain Forest. These non-migratory herds stay in the Hoh area throughout the year, banding together in herds of around 20 and consisting of females and their calves. Male elk, or bulls, can be seen singly or in pairs. September is a great time to hear them bugling, as it is mating season and the males compete for groups of females.
Diet:
Roosevelt elk feed mainly on ferns, shrubs, and lichens from the rain forest, as well as meadow grasses.Common Name:Roosevelt Elk (Olympic Elk)Kingdom:AnimaliaPhylum:ChordataClass:MammaliaOrder:ArtiodactylaFamily:CervidaeGenus:CervusSpecies:Cervus canadensisSubspecies:Cervus canadensis rooseveltiThe Roosevelt Elk, also known as Olympic Elk or Wapiti, are the largest of the elk subspecies. Mature elk can weigh anywhere from 600 to 1,100 pounds (275 to 500kg) when mature, with a height at the shoulder up to 5 feet (150 cm). The Roosevelt Elk tend to be a deeper darker brown than the relatively smaller Rocky Mountain Elk, and have a darker mane and yellowish-brown rump. Roosevelt Elk tend to have narrower antlers than the Rocky Mountain elk, but usually have much more mass and height. The average length of a Roosevelt Elk is 8 feet, but mature bull elk have also been measured up to 10 feet.Front Hoof PrintRear Hoof Print
Roosevelt Elk Distribution/Habitat
The Roosevelt Elk are located in the rain forests of the western Cascade Mountains, from northern California, Oregon, Washington, and into British Columbia, with the largest herd (about 5,000) being located in Olympic National Park in Washington State. Roosevelt Elk were also transplanted from the Olympic Peninsula to Afognak Island (Alaska) in 1929. The herd is now roughly 1,200 strong. The elk located on this particular island have also been known to weigh as much as 1,300 pounds (590 kg) mostly due to the abundance in their food supply. In the early 1900’s the Roosevelt Elk population plummeted to only about a dozen animals. Theodore Roosevelt, an avid hunter and an active contributor to wildlife conservation, created Olympic National Park (then called Mount Olympus National Monument) for future generations to enjoy and to provide protection for the Roosevelt Elk.
Roosevelt Elk Reproduction
Credit: Walter Siegmund ©2005 Walter SiegmundRoosevelt Elk calves are usually born from mid-May to mid-June and weigh between 30 to 35 pounds at birth. Calves are born with spots which are gone by the end of summer. The calves are weaned from their mother’s milk at two months of age, leaving the comfort of their mother just before the breeding season begins in the next year.