The North American Elk (Cervus canadensis) also known as the Wapiti are one of the largest types of species belonging to the deer family. The name, Wapiti, comes from the Algonquin name for the animal which is Waapiti. The first half of the word, Wapi, means white, in reference to the animal’s white rump.
When settlers from Europe saw the Wapiti, they referred to it as an Elk, which is actually the European word for moose, and so misidentifying the large deer. Today, we commonly refer to the Wapiti as Elk.
As A Symbol:
The Elk has been long used as a symbol. For example, Native Americans used Elk’s as a symbol of speed, strength, and grace and some even created flutes to mimic the Elk’s mating call. Today, the elk is used as a mascot for sports teams, a symbol for states such as Utah, and an emblem of fraternal organizations such as the Elk’s Lodge.
In fact, the Elks Lodge chose the Wapiti as a representative because they believed it is a peaceful creature but will not hesitate to defend its family.
Elk / Wapiti Appearance:
Size
The North American Elk or Wapiti looks similar to a moose but is actually a large deer. They can range from 4 to 5 feet at the shoulder and 6 to 8 feet from tip of the tail to tip of the nose. They can weigh anywhere from 300 to a little over 1,000 pounds.
Coat color
Their coat ranges from brown in the summer to a light tan in the fall and winter. The name Wapiti derives from the Algonquin word for white which refers to the elk’s whitish rump that can also appear beige.
Antlers
Like other deer, Wapiti have males develop antlers. The antlers shed and regrow each year and are first covered in a fur called velvet. The velvet sheds away as well, and by fall the antlers are bone solid.
Elk / Wapiti Diet:
The American Elk/ Wapiti are herbivores. They primarily graze. While once found throughout North America, they mainly live in the west and northwest of the United States and western Canada. They are extinct in the eastern United States.
Protection and Preservation of Ecosystems:
The Elk has a complicated relationship with the ecosystem. On the one hand they are a sign of a healthy land. Elks help spread seeds as well and are a food source to many predators and scavengers. But without predators like the Wolf (Canis lupus), an elk population could become overpopulated and put stress on the environment. They can overgraze and become a detriment to riparian landscapes and other plants such as tree saplings, preventing forest regrowth.
This is why they should be balanced with both a protection of their species and their paired predators such as the wolf. A question left with is should they be reintroduced into their ancestral habitats such as the northeastern United States, to help spread their population, and then should their paired predator also be reintroduced there as well?
Elk / Wapiti Sighting:
I saw this American Elk/ Wapiti on my trip to the Rocky Mountains in 2022. They were grazing along the mountain road and were kind enough to stay while I took some video and photos that I can now share with you.
Species Spotlight:
| Common name | North American Elk / Wapiti |
| Species | Cervus canadensis |
| Location Spotted | Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado |
| Date Spotted | July 11th, 2022 |
| Sighting and Trail Remarks | Driving through the Rocky Mountains from the Trail Ridge Road, I came across a gang or herd of Wapiti. They were grazing peacefully and enjoying the sun as I took a few photos as mementos of the sighting. |