![]() ![]() ![]() Once the rut begins, mature bulls challenge each other vocally, emitting high-pitched calliope-like whistles, or “bugles.”.Mating occurs during the fall rut, and successful bulls breed with numerous females each year.Breeding activities cease by mid-October bulls usually leave the cow–calf groups then and the herds disperse into wintering areas.Adolescent males form small bachelor groups or patrol the edge of breeding harems.Bulls socially dominate the cows within their harems, but the movements of these breeding groups are still determined by older, lead cows. Harems range in size from 3 to 4 cows to as many as 20 to 25 cows.The larger, more aggressive bulls try to gather harems of cows, which they defend against competing bulls (Fig. During the mating season (rut) in early fall, adult and subadult bulls find and temporarily join cow herds.Cow–calf herds are usually led by older, experienced cows and may include adolescent bulls.During spring, summer, and winter, elk tend to split into cow–calf herds and bull herds. Elk are social animals, living in herds for much of the year.Year-round ranges for Roosevelt elk are smaller, usually 1,500 to 4,000 acres, because they are generally found where the climate is less severe and where food and cover are more readily available.Year-round ranges for Rocky Mountain elk vary from 2,500 to 10,000 acres, and usually include distinct summering and wintering areas. ![]() Ideal elk habitat includes productive grasslands, meadows, or clearcuts, interspersed with closed-canopy forests.Cover also conceals newborn calves from predators. They do, however, use cover during extreme weather, to avoid hunters, or when they are harassed. Elk are hardy animals that have few physiological needs for cover.Then it passes into third and fourth stomachs before finally entering the intestine. This food is stored in a stomach called the “rumen.” From there, the food is regurgitated, then re-chewed before being swallowed again, entering a second stomach where digestion begins. They initially chew their food just enough to swallow it. Like deer and moose, elk are ruminants.During fall and winter, elk continue to eat grasses when these are available and not covered by deep snow. ![]()
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