In general, white-tailed deer are smaller, reaching a mature weight of anywhere between 100 and 300 lb (45 to 135 kg). A deer is very small when compared to an elk, whereas an elk is smaller when compared to a moose. The largest members of the deer family, moose can run up to 35 miles per hour. ADVERTISEMENT. Worldwide, 47 species populate taxonomic family Cervidae, commonly known as the deer family, ranging from 20 pounds to 1,800 pounds. The end of each segment is rounded, not pointed, and the halves of the hoof remain parallel to one another rather than point inward. They move through their environment at speeds up to 30 miles per hour; a hungry deer can clear a 10-foot fence to nibble on your garden's bounty. This gives you a good idea of the size difference between Elk and Red Stag! Elk vs Moose – Appearance Elks are medium-sized when compared to a moose. – Moose has hanging dewlaps that elk does not. Other than elk and caribou, the family Cervidae also consists of deer and moose species. In it is a depiction of a stag red deer squaring off against an elk. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, making them easy to differentiate reindeer from other types of deer. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the difference between deer, elk, moose and reindeer. In America, they have adapted to living in desert and semi-desert regions such as the Great Plains. Elk (noun). Although a true deer, the water deer looks very similar to the musk deer. These mammalians are herbivorous (plant eating) and mostly herd living. They both can live in moderate climates. Their metabolic system has been able to adapt over the years to this type of diet. Males grow spiky antlers during spring and summer, and shed them during the winter. Different types of deer can be found all over the world, except for Oceania and Antarctica. Deer. This was an awesome experience watching this! You can easily tell if tracks you see while hiking belong to a deer, moose or elk. – In comparing these big-made deer species, moose ranks top among all the Cervids in terms of body size, while elk is the second. If you want to read similar articles to Differences Between Deer, Elk, Moose and Reindeer, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category. The main difference between Moose and Caribou is that the Moose is a species of mammal and Caribou is a species of deer. The moose and elk are browsers or selective feeders. Any large species of deer such as red deer, moose or wapiti. Click the start button below. The first thing to understand is that all of these animals are part of the same group of mammals known as the Cervidae family. The only slight difference is moose meat is a bit gamier than elk. They make a mating call that sounds like an untrained person blowing a tuba. The stately antlers grown by male elk are an elongated shape with many points coming off the large beams. There are also differences in diet: elks are browsers while deer are grazers. The animals choose to eat low-fiber diets which are high in other types of nutrition. Deer Antlers Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer and Moose are all members of the “deer family” and all are native to North America and found in the western United States. © 2020 WILD SKY MEDIA. Both elk and caribou belong to deer family called Family Cervidae. Be Her Village. Among the four, the moose is the only solitary animal, while the elk, caribou and reindeer often travel in herds. Think of deer scat, both mulie and whitetail, as chocolate Goobers from the movie theater. Elk vs Moose: Where the Confusion Started First of all, the Alces Alces (more specifically, the Alces Alces Americana) is called a moose in North America and an elk in Europe and Asia. Elk vs. Learn more in our article about how and why deer shed their antlers. The antler from these magnificent animals are found throughout the Rocky Mountains and all are native to Montana, where I source my antler, within miles of our facility. This group of deer is known as Old World deer, although many species now live in other parts of the world. Elk tracks are more similar to the silhouette of a tooth. The venison provided from a successful whitetail hunt is an excellent source of lean protein that makes outstanding table fare. Due to which it can be quite tricky to identify them accurately. November 13, 2020 April 22, 2020 by Sherry Morgan. But some people consider them to be different animals. Some common deer species are moose, elk, white-tailed deer, and sambar. The main differences between elk and reindeer is that the former are heavier, while the latter have larger antlers relative to their body size. They travel in large herds, which can number 1,000 individuals, and they can run at 45 mi/h (70 km/h). 7. 4. Another key characteristic all deer share is the fact that they are ungulates. Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images. For example, consider where the deer lives and it… The subspecies of the moose (Alces alces alces, alternatively named Eurasian elk because the wapiti is also called elk) that occurs only in Europe and Asia (not to be confused with the species called moose {Alces alces} which encompasses all subspecies of the moose). Empower Her. They reside in North America and Eurasia, and there are different subspecies based on their geographical range. As ruminant animals, deer of all types have stomach divided into four compartments. There is one exception which is the water deer. Moose have bulbous noses and a flap of skin on their throats known as bells. Deer, elk and moose are the most common in North America, and you'll find plenty of differences to identify them in the wild. Their shoulders are about 6 feet high, and antlers can spread 6 feet wide. How to Tell the Difference Between Cougar & Bobcat Prints. The massive animals can weigh up to 1,100 pounds. On the other hand, deer only make occasional bleats. Their necks are shaggy, which makes them easy to identify from other deer species. Moose. The smallest of the four is the deer, of which you can find two different native species: the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). As a verb stag is (british) to act as a "stag", an irregular dealer in stocks. On average, an elk weighs about 710-730, so a bull elk weighs half that of a bull moose. Deer, elk and moose are the most common in North America, and you'll find plenty of differences to identify them in the wild. But last yr was my 1st high country elk hunt. The further north you are, the likelier it is you are seeing a reindeer and not a moose or an elk. Joined Apr 17, 2020 Messages 2. This family includes 43 species of hoofed mammals. I feel stupid to ask this, but last yr in the mountains I wondered a lot if I was looking at elk tracks or moose tracks or cattle tracks. By grouping similar animals together we can better understand the relationships they have between each other. They are both hunted for their meat and antlers. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Encyclopedia of Life: Cervidae Overview Deer, Elk, Moose, and Caribou, National Geographic: White-Tailed Deer Odocoileus Virginianus, National Park Service: Rocky Mountain National Park Moose, Physical Differences of Male & Female Chimps. Capreolinae are telemetacarpel deer, retaining certain metacarpals which Cervinae deer, known as plesiometacarpal deer, do not. They swim up to 6 miles per hour -- twice as fast as a human can row a boat. These compartments allow the food to be first fermented before being digested and metabolized. For the most part, these are more similar to their cousins, but different, but there are some important differences between deer and elk. Since, both deer and moose havMove to Trashe even numbered toes in a foot, they were classified in the Order: Artiodactyla. Male moose have flat, wide antlers that can span six feet from tip to tip. Click to attach a photo related to your comment, Differences Between Deer, Elk, Moose and Reindeer. The females typically weigh 500 lbs. They spend the majority of their time along the forest edges. Moose and elk are different species that have a lot in common. 3. A mature bull moose has broad and flat antlers while the elk has pointed antlers. There are also differences in diet: elks are browsers while deer are grazers. The subspecies of the moose (Alces alces alces, alternatively named Eurasian elk because the wapiti is also called elk) that occurs only in Europe and Asia (not to be confused with the species called moose {Alces alces} which encompasses all subspecies of the moose). There are many species of deer whereas moose is classified as a species of deer. Elk have shaggy necks and shoulder that rise about 5 feet from the ground and antlers that can tower 4 feet above their heads, giving them astounding heights up to 9 feet. Now that you know the main differences between deer, elk, moose and reindeer in size and habitat, don't miss the following articles: To get a visual representation of the differences between different deer species, we can see the below video. With such similarities between true deer and other similar animals, it is understandable why we might be confused about the differences between deer, elk, moose and reindeer. Elk can range from 500 to 1,300 pounds (225 to 600 kg): males are larger than females. Their range includes grasslands and … Male elk are extremely vocal during autumn breeding season, bugling loudly in the morning and evening. Part of the reason they are broken up into different groups is because they evolved separately at one stage. Elk (noun). An adult Alces Alces Americana (Source) I have antelope and deer hunted the prairie areas of the west for many yrs. Unlike elk or moose (or any other deer species) male and female caribou grow antlers – which have a cool “C” shape when you look at them from the side. Deer grow their long, forked, pointed and/or curved antlers during spring and summer, but shed them through winter. Despite their name, the musk deer is not a true deer and has other differences such lacking certain glands. Male elk and moose have antlers. Indulging her passion for vacation vagary through the written word on a full-time basis since 2010, travel funster Jodi Thornton-O'Connell guides readers to the unexpected, quirky, and awe-inspiring. Both deer and moose are ungulates (hoofed mammals). moose photos, elk photos, caribou and deer photos Stock photos of moose, elk, caribou and deer were photographed in the wild. Both belong to the family Cervidae. If you have seen a moose and an elk, you might … If you see a deer that's more than 6 ft 9 (2 m) at the withers, it is definitely a moose. A large part of the confusion when comparing elk to deer or moose compared to deer us because the names are often misleading. Any large species of deer such as red deer, moose or wapiti. Moose, deer, and elk meat are all in the venison category, therefore, there is no significant difference in the taste of the three game animals. Keep reading to learn more! They are distributed in remote forests from Colorado north through Canada and Alaska. Elk and moose are the biggest types of deer. This is why we explain further below. These animals are known for their massive size and huge antlers. Elk can run up to 45 miles per hour. An elk's withers reach about 5 ft (1.5 m) from the ground, and the male's antlers can reach up to 4 feet (1.2 m) above the head, which gives them a total of 9 feet (2.75 m) in height. WAUSAU, Wis (WSAW)- While out in the woods for gun deer season Nov. 21 -29, hunters may encounter elk or moose. In North America, you can find reindeer, moose, elk (also known as wapitis) and animals we simply refer to as ‘deer’. This type of digestion requires the food to be chewed extensively, a process known as ‘rumination’, hence their name. Like elk, moose are browsers and not grazers, which differentiates them from deer. However, I just drew an Idaho Moose tag. while males range between 700 to 1,100 lbs. This crazy Elk was wanting to fight someone and the water buffalo was ready to go! Moose have a bulbous nose with skin hanging from the chin while elk have a thin snout. They can move at speeds of up to 30 mi/h (50 km/h), and they are able to clear 10-foot (3 m) fences! Find out Everything about this Hybrid, The 10 Most Solitary Animals in the World, What Does It Mean When a Cat Shows Up at My Door, Herbivorous Animals: Examples and Fun Facts, Do Horses Go Into Heat? So, What is the key difference between elk and moose? Of course, reindeer play a key role in Christmas mythology. Although all male deer grow antlers, only some female possess this ability. Deer sounds are few and extremely rare. Difference Between Moose & Elk Hoof Prints, How to Tell the Difference Between an Ape and Gorilla. In general, white-tailed deer are smaller, maturing at anywhere between 100 and 300 lb (45 to 135 kg). Elk reside in mountainous forests across North America (except from the northernmost regions) and East Asia. The deer's distribution and habitat includes forests, desert areas, and grasslands. Elk (Cervus canadensis), called wapiti in Europe, are one of the largest deer species. There are several genera of deer, including Axis (chital), Cervus (which include elk), Dama (fallow deer), Elaphodus (tufted deer) and Muntiacus (Muntjac). There are many different type of ungulate animals. An elk is a large animal with a reddish hue to its hair while the moose is much larger than an adult elk and has a darker brown coat which almost appears black. Moose vs. Caribou. This deer is still a true deer, but instead of antlers, they have tusks which grow out of their mouth where canine teeth would be on some other mammals. Game meat is, in some way, underrated. Elk doo is more like malted milk Whoppers. The antlers of the elk and reindeer are somewhat similar. Moose are heavy in weight compared to Elk. On the other hand, deer only make occasional bleats. This means they are mammals with hooves. All deer are hoofed ruminant animals which fall into two categories: Cervinae and Capreolinae. What Is the Difference Between a Bottle-Nosed Dolphin & a Porpoise? Difference Between Elk And Deer. 1. Asexual Reproduction in Animals and Examples. The Deer family consists of a large group of grazing or browsing animals with ruminant characters. Elk likes to … Elk (noun). Females have no antlers and may travel in herds of more than 1,000 individuals. Taxonomy is the process of classification. Deer vs Moose . What Does It Mean When a Cat Lets You Touch Its Paws? The smallest species of the deer family native to North America are white-tailed deer, which mature at 100 to 300 pounds. The problem with knowing the differences between deer, elk, moose and reindeer is a taxonomic one. Elk. Moose are dark brown with grayish legs. Animals in the Cervidae family are all a type of deer, but not all of them are given this name. Published: 2 Feb, 2020. An elk is one of the types of deer which exist while deer is a general term used for the family of various species that are similar in some way. Reindeer live in mountainous forests, but also in sub-Arctic boreal forests and tundra regions. The moose has a long bulbous nose with a 'bell' under the throat while the elk has a narrower snout with no 'bell' under the throat. However, their flat, wide antlers and strange-looking bulky face differentiates them from the other types of deer. Moose and deer both make heart-shaped tracks, with the toe of each half of the hoof coming to a distinct point. What is the Difference Between a Llama and Alpaca? Male elk and moose are called bulls while their females are called cows. Do you know Deer, Moose and Elk? Montana hunters also need to be able to correctly identify a moose, an elk, and a pronghorn (antelope). Though moose and elk look similar to each other, they aren’t the same. Moreover, a reindeer's antlers are covered in velvet, while an elk's are not. Whitetails can be found in almost every state in the continental U.S. with the exception of a few western states. On a hike through remote mountain forests, it's not unusual to find tracks of deer, elk or moose. What Are Hermaphrodite Animals? Main Difference. Like elk, reindeer live in large herds. Moose live in a similar habitat as elk and reindeer, although they prefer temperate and cool climates and forests. Elk vs Deer The deer family is a large group of grazing or browsing ruminants that cover the globe. If you are in a relatively low latitude and you see a cervid moving fast and jumping gracefully, it is most likely a deer and not an elk or a reindeer. Some people try to make the comparison between elk vs deer, but as we have explained this doesn't make sense. The animal Alces alces is known as Moose in North America but Elk in Europe. Moose are the largest deer species in the world. Reindeer, on the other hand, are grazers or roughage feeders. In fact, moose meat taste is almost similar to that of elk. It's the only Idaho tag I'll have in my pocket even though deer and elk are otc in my moose area. 2. They are similar in size to elk, also reaching 5 ft (1.5) at the withers and 6 ft 6 (2 m) in length. Their range includes grasslands and desert areas as well as forest. Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) are also known as caribou, causing some to think they are two different animals. The antlers on the male are massive, palmate, and flat. Animals are grouped into different classes for various reasons, partly so we can simply keep track of them. However, the reindeer’s antlers are covered in velvet. Here you can learn more about what white-tailed deer eat. While the different types of deer have a wider geographical reach, moose can be found in the northern regions of North America, especially in Canada and Alaska, the coldest regions of Europe, especially in Scandinavia and the Baltic republics, and some areas of Russia and China. Moose are the largest deer species while Elk is the second largest. Deer in this group include: While these two deer groups differ slightly in bone structure, it is their similarities which mean they are both still types of deer. The male's antlers are 4 ft 9 (1.5 m) wide. They have a large, overhanging snout and a dewlap on the throat. Elk is smaller and more slender, without the bulbous nose. Having hooves does not make an animal a deer, but an animal won't be a deer without them. An elk is a type of deer, so we need to be more specific when comparing certain animals. Deer, elk, moose and reindeers are physically similar to each other due to the fact that they are part of the same family, the Cervidae family. The white-tailed deer is the most commonly hunted game species in the country and for good reason. Moose (Alces alces) are called elk in Europe, which makes them easy to confuse with North American elk or wapitis. What Is the Difference Between Elk, Moose and Deer. As we state above, we cannot say that elk, moose and reindeer are different from deer because they are all deer species. Moose scat vs Elk scat. Their coat color and thickness changes depending on the climate, although they usually have dark necks and pale rumps. Learn more in our article about the differences between mule deer and white-tailed deer. - Definition and Full List. Views: 1,439. They do not leave in herds: moose are solitary animals. We discuss deer, elk, moose and reindeer in this article. 6. 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