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Elk... ...Majestic
icons of Big Sky Country
Elk, sometimes called wapiti,
are the second largest member of the deer family. The largest
bull elk sport massive antlers that are shed and grown anew each spring
-- a cycle driven by testosterone levels. New antlers
begin to grow each spring as increasing levels in daylight trigger
increasing levels of testosterone. Antlers are the fastest growing
bones in nature. They can grow as much as one inch in a single day!
While antlers are growing they are covered with velvet which helps protect
the still-fragile growing antlers and carries blood to this growing bone
tissue. The growth of antlers ceases in August and bull elk rub off
the velvet covering their antlers in preparation for the rut.
Following the rut, around October, testosterone levels begin to drop.
When testosterone levels reach their lowest point (in early spring), the
antlers drop off. The pedicles, the point on the skull from which
antlers grow, bleed a bit then heal. Increasing daylight again
triggers testosterone levels to climb and the antler cycle continues.
The mating season of elk is
referred to as the rut. During the rut, bull elk battle to assemble
and protect a harem of cow elk. During the rut, Big Sky Country
rings with the bugles of rutting elk. Cow elk remain in estrus
for only a couple days. Bull elk monitor the status of the cows in
their harem very carefully. The gestational period of elk is
eight and a half months, with the most dramatic fetal development of the
calf occurring over the last six weeks of gestation. Cow elk deliver
their calves from mid-May through July with variations depending on
location. Typical regional peak food availability is the
determining factor in the variation of regional differences in calf
delivery. Prior to delivery, a cow elk leaves the herd and
delivers her calf in seclusion. The cow maintains the secrecy of her
vulnerable hidden calf by keeping the area around her calf clean and free of
odorous material (placenta, feces) by eating it. So as not to
attract predators with her own odor, she stays away from her calf, visiting
it only to nurse until the calf has grown stronger. Despite the best
efforts of their mothers, elk calves remain very vulnerable to predators
including bears, wolves and coyotes.
I hope you enjoy these images
of elk. Among the images of elk included here are: bull elk in
velvet, bull elk in rut, bull elk sparring, bull elk with their harem of
cows, cow elk, and elk calves. Many of these images were taken in
Yellowstone National Parkand many others
were taken in the
National Bison Range.
All
images contained herein are the copyrighted property of Katie La Salle-Lowery.
If you wish to use an image for any reason, please contact me at
info@bigskycountry.net.
Please consider a visit to the
RMEF online -- the website of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,
whose
mission is to ensure the future
of elk, other wildlife and their habitat.
