"That said, elk are very protective of calves and will act aggressively toward humans who get too close." "Predators are wary of humans and may not come as close to developed areas," says Veress. This may seem surprising but it actually makes sense. Because elk have become used to seeing humans, many elk will bed their young calves near buildings or cars while they graze nearby. If an elk charges, the park advises you "seek shelter in a building, in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible."Įven without antlers, the sheer size of elk can make them dangerous, especially cow elk protecting their young. With a rack of antlers spanning 6 feet and weighing 30 pounds, it's no wonder the park advises all visitors maintain at least a 25-yard (75-foot) distance from an elk. Veress says that a charging bull elk can run up to 45 miles per hour in bursts, which is faster than the average human.
COW ELK VS DEER SIZE FULL
In September and October, bull elk are full of hormones during the rut (mating season), when they round up cow elk and fight each other." With predators such as bears, wolves, coyotes, and cougars around looking for a meal, cow elk must be vigilant and protective of their newborns. "That said," she added, "it is important to be extra cautious during the calving season in the spring months of May and June. In an email, Linda Veress, park spokesperson for Yellowstone, said elk can be aggressive any time of year if they feel threatened. And that accounts for the aggressiveness.
Bulls spend all summer growing their antlers so they'll have them during the winter in order to fight off predators such as wolves and fight for dominance among the herd during crucial times in the elk life cycle. According to the folks at Yellowstone National Park, elk are some of the most photographed animals in the park mostly because of those gorgeous antlers.
0 kommentar(er)
