Roosevelt Bull Elk during the rut with grass on his antlers in California, usa

Bull Elk During the Rut

California, USA

The Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti), also known as the Olympic elk, is the largest of the four subspecies of elk in North America by body mass. Mature bulls weigh from 700 to 1200 lbs, grows to around 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m) in length and stands 2.5–5.6 ft (0.75–1.7 m) tall at the withers. Its geographic range includes temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest including parts of Northern California.

When his antlers are fully grown, a bull elk removes the encasing velvet and polishes his antlers by rubbing them on trees, shrubs and the ground. Vigorous rubbing also releases his pent-up energy and leaves behind his scent to let other elk know that he is around. Bulls bugle and rub trees, shrubs, and the ground with their antlers to attract cows and intimidate other bulls.

Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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