Redwood Park Rangers Explain Why Not All Elk Lose Their Antlers During the Winter
Many people know that elk lose their antlers during the winter season, but did you know that not all of them do? I had no idea! Redwoods Rising out of California is on a mission to educate people about their mountains and everything that lives in them. They shared a video on Wednesday, January 3rd chatting about elk, and the reason why some male elk do not lose their antlers during the coldest season of the year.
The video starts with one of the two park rangers explaining the difference between animals with horns and those with antlers. Animals with horns, like sheep and goats, always have them...they don't lose them. Animals with antlers, like elk, shed their antlers after the rut (when they battle each other for mates) and regrow them throughout the year until the next rut. Tune in to hear why some elk don't shed their antlers...it's interesting!
The @Redwoods Rising park rangers go on to explain that the elk with antlers are their "bachelor herd" - they tried to compete against other elk but lost and didn't mate during the rut (they call for mates and the sound they make is called "bugling". "They're essentially the losers but we don't call them that we call them the bachelors" made me laugh! During the next few seasons, they'll continue to hang out together and practice fighting so that hopefully next fall they'll find a mate. Until then, they keep their antlers.
Related: Elk Take Over Neighborhood Lawns in Colorado and It’s a Sight To Behold
Facts About Elk
This is one of those things that I didn't know that I didn't know, but I'm glad that I learned more about these fascinating animals! The rangers go on to explain that antlers are one of the fastest growing things in the biological world, which I found very interesting. Antlers are bone, and in just about six months, they go from being nubs on the elk's head to six- or seven-point racks.
Elk can run up to 45 MPH, so the last thing that you want to do is get up close and personal to one in the wild because I'd imagine getting hit with those antlers would not be fun! They give a tip on how far away to stay from these wild animals by just using your thumb, and it's one I'm going to keep in my back pocket for the next time we are hiking in the woods!
Elk are social animals and live in herds. They grow three to five feet tall and are a bit taller than deer. Male elk are called bulls, females are called cows, and babies are called calves. Calves are born in May and June and are born camouflaged colored to help conceal them from predators.
I love Redwoods Rising videos because I learn so much about animals and the environment from them. Definitely give them a follow if animal education is interesting to you!
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