What is the scientific name of the elk species?
The scientific name of the elk species is Cervus canadensis. Mitochondrial DNA studies conducted in 2004 proved that elk should be a distinct species rather than a subspecies of the European red deer.
Common questions about Elk
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the word elk originally refer to the European moose?
The word elk originally referred to the European moose, which had long vanished from the British Isles by the 17th century. Richard Hakluyt used the term in 1584 to describe North American red deer, and John Smith used it in 1616, though Sir William Talbot noted in 1672 that the name was technically incorrect.
How fast do elk antlers grow per day?
Elk antlers grow at a rate of 25 millimeters per day. This rapid growth requires a soft layer of highly vascularized skin known as velvet to protect the developing structure until it is shed in the summer.
When did elk become extinct in Michigan and when were they reintroduced?
Elk went extinct in Michigan in 1875 and were reintroduced in 1918. The species has since been reintroduced to other states including Pennsylvania beginning in 1913 and Wisconsin, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and West Virginia since the late 1990s.
What is the largest subspecies of elk and how much can it weigh?
The largest subspecies of elk is the Roosevelt elk, found west of the Cascade Range. The largest males of this subspecies are estimated to weigh up to 700 kilograms.
When was the importation of elk antler velvet banned by South Korea?
South Korea banned the importation of elk antler velvet in 2002 due to concerns about chronic wasting disease. This disease is transmitted by a misfolded protein known as a prion and has been detected throughout the elk range in North America.