Bull Elk
by Robert Bales
Title
Bull Elk
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
It is turning Fall and the bull elk is collecting his herd.
As with other park species, the arrival of autumn signals the beginning of annual rut (mating) season. Bull elk, which begin growing antlers as yearlings, use their racks to assert dominance over other elk in the herd and garner a harem of over twenty cows during the September to mid-October mating season. Those bulls with the biggest antlers and loudest bugle frequently have the most success with the ladies, and park visitors arriving in the fall are privy to the unique, high-pitched sound of the elk�s melodic mating cry. By November, mating season has ended, and the elk move to Yellowstone�s lower, northern elevations where winters are marked with warmer temperatures and less snowfall than other park regions. By late May and early June, the elk disperse themselves throughout the park for summer season, and the cows give birth to the year�s offspring. Most newborn elk calves weigh twenty-five to forty pounds at birth and begin walking within one hour of their arrival.
Uploaded
November 27th, 2011
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Viewed 829 Times - Last Visitor from Ann Arbor, MI on 04/19/2024 at 8:05 AM
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