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Area 51 New Mexico Established August 18 2001. © Copyright H.E. Bedford. All Rights Reserved.
Elk Facts Size. Cow elk can weigh more than 500 pounds; the average bull weighs around 800 pounds.
Antlers. These are made of fast-growing bone -- so fast, in fact, that scientists think studying antlers may reveal clues about many types of cancer. Antlers can grow up to an inch a day! Contrary to what most people think, the number of branches or points does not signify an animals' age. Elk will frequently polish their antlers on trees, leaving tell-tale "rubs" -- areas of trees about four feet off the ground scraped bare of bark.
Nomenclature. Wapiti is the Shawnee Indian word for elk. It means "white rump." In Europe, the word "elk" more often refers to the animal we Americans call a moose.
Family Life. To protect elk calves from predators, a cow will hide her newborn in a log or shrub, or among tall grasses, for the first few weeks of its life. The calves wear camouflaging white spots and have very little scent, which helps keep them hidden from predators. To avoid leading predators to her calf, the cow keeps watch from a safe distance, visiting only periodically during the day to let it nurse. Cows are vigilant, however, and will chase off any predators that get too close, using her powerful front hooves as weapons. After a few weeks, the calves have grown strong enough to keep up and will join the rest of the herd.
Home Lands Elk once ranged as far south as Mexico and as far east as the Carolinas. Unregulated hunting and habitat loss pushed elk to the edge of extinction; by the late 1800s, populations could only be found in remote areas of the west.
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"Did You Know" Facts: Part 2
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"Did You Know" Facts: Part 1
Armadillos: The Funniest Animal
Useless, yet Rather Interesting Geographical Info
Phobias
Funny Phrases in Spanish, Greek & German
Area 51 was Established on August 18th 2001 © Copyright H. Bedford. All Rights Reserved.