Elk cows and calves together again

Photo Kaarel Kaisel
Translation Liis
Elks
 
Elk; Moose (N. America)       Põder       Alces alces
 
The mating period of the large and majestic animals has finished. Hunters say that in the dry autumn of this year the movements of elks were quite unusual, they had to search for the animals.
 
The elk cow is again in company with her calf or calves from this spring (during the mating period the ”kids” were scared off). The about half a year old youngsters already weigh a hundred kilos; they will spend the winter together. The elk cow, whose gestation period lasts 8 months, finally scares the calves off from herself in the spring of next year, before calving.  Young elks who were born in May last year already weigh about two hundred kilos: female calves may even take part in the mating; males of the same age do not become sexually mature until next year.
 
The large vigorous elk bulls rest from their mating fatigue. Strong males can fertilize several cows; their reproduction power can last until 17 years of age. They wear the magnificent antlers for one more month, some bulls even in December.
 
The brownish-grey fur coat turns somewhat lighter as winter fur, particularly the legs. The abundant summer menu has changed to an autumn transition diet: from the shrub and bush zones and especially bark from medium-aged spruces. The daily autumn food ration of an adult animal is up to 30 kilos and it produces about 5 kilos of droppings in a day. Where there are many elks damage on spruces is noticeable.
 
The elk hunting period lasts until mid-December. The life of the king of the forest is not easy...
 
 


 

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