Urine and mud-soaked Roosevelt elk bull during the rut in California, USA

During the rut, bull elks will bugle and rub trees, shrubs, and the ground with their antlers to attract cows and intimidate other bulls. They will wallow in mud to coat themselves with urine that acts as a "perfume" to attract cows. A thorough mud covering cools off an over-heated bull, spreads his scent evenly over his body, and makes him look even more imposing.

Sometimes, violent battles are initiated to decide which bull is dominant. Before a fight begins, the two bulls display their dominance by bugling and thrashing the ground with their antlers. They might march side by side, then suddenly turn, walk farther, or begin their fight. Usually, it’s bulls more equal in size that typically confront each other to gain the right to mate when the cows come into estrus.

Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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