Reproduction
The first time a cow (a female elk) will mate
is usually a little after two years old. Most males are sexually
mature much earlier than the female with as early as 14 months
being recorded (Murie 1951). Usually there is a bull that leads
the herd called a herd master. This is usually a large male elk
that keeps away other males from their female elks. When the
herd master is challenged he will engage the opposing bull. If
the other bull is younger they will usually lose. The younger
bulls are much smaller since most are not mature enough within
the time they are actively seeking a mate at the age of 3.
The Rut:
The Rut refers to the mating season that happens every fall. The
rut usually in occurs early September to early October(Cook 2004);
there have been some bulls that begin to form a herd in as early as
august. During the rut a bull (a male elk) will form a herd of cows
(female elk). The bull who leads the cows is called the herd master,
which any bull can obtain the title if they successfully intimidate
or beat the current herd master. The herd master will mate with the
cows that are in the herd. Although there is a herd master the herd
master isn’t the only one who mates with the cows. Sometimes a bull
will actually mate with one of the cows while the herd master is
either busy with another bull or busy with a threat to the herd.
While this happens, it is not thought to happen that often although
it is not just in isolated cases either.
The Rut has a physical effect on the elk. The bulls start the
rut being fat and in the best shape they are all year. But for that
time period, they eat less during the rut and soon lose weight. The
rut leaves the males considerably skinny and in poor condition right
before winter where the females are still fat and in good condition
for winter.
Wallowing:
Wallowing is the act of trying to lower the body temperature of
the elk. During the rut the elk have a fever where the body
temperature is actually increased. The act of wallowing
specifically entails when the bull enters a body of water from a couple feet in size up.
They are generally muddy with the smell of elk urine penetrating
the surroundings. Also they can look beat up because of the elk
moving its antlers in the mud. When wallowing the elk will
usually drink some of the water then later urinate in the water
to mark its territory.
Battle:
The battle usually starts with a bull coming upon a herd master.
The bull will usually come up to the herd master. This is where the
herd master and the bull will start to make gestures to intimidate
the other. When neither is intimidated they may start bugling.
Bugling is an elk call which sounds like a
whistle. Bugling is a main form of communication. If the bull gets close enough to the herd master the
herd master will charge the bull. There has never been an
instance when a bull has been charged by a herd master and stood
their ground(Murie 1951). A chase will soon begin with the bull eventually
leaving after a short period of time. Most of the battles that
arose would be charging at one another with the antlers being
the only part to be engaged at the time.
Calving:
Calving is when a cow gives birth to a calf. This usually occurs
from May 15th to June 15th (Murie 1951). This happens
8-8 ½ months after they originally mated with the bull. Elk can
give birth to twins just like humans can. The majority of births
will only have one calf.
Calf:
The calf is the name for the elk right after birth through its
first couple of years.
Right after birth the calf will mostly be lying down. It can
walk but when it does it stumbles around and is mostly unsteady.
When the calf is in danger it will drop down and lie prone even
when walking with a herd. This is a characteristic that some
predators use to prey on the calves. This defensive mechanism is
almost counter productive in many cases since the calf is an easy
target lying in the same place. They are also known to hide behind
fallen wood, tree stumps, and bushes. When a calf will actually
run away it usually only can manage 200-300 yards before it
stops. If the calf is found by a predator the calf will remain
perfectly still even though it is most likely to be eaten.
The calf will gain nutrients by drinking its mother’s milk. The
calf relies on its mother milk for 2-3 weeks (Murie 1951). After that the
calf will begin to eat vegetation.
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