![]() ![]() They live in the wooded wilderness of the Eastern US. Unlike elks, they stay in the same habitat even when the seasons change.Įlks are found nearly in several parts of the world including the various US states, New Mexico, and Canada. Whereas, the natural territory for alces is around the areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation. During the winter season, these animals migrate to lower areas such as meadows, rocky areas, and rivers. Hunters can find wapitis living in places like foothills. Therefore, at a younger age, many hunters confuse moose with elk due to their smaller antlers. However, these antlers become flat as the moose ages. ![]() Even the skin color of a baby moose is dark brown in color.īulls have large, broad, and flat antlers having pointed edges. Typically alces have a dark brown skin color which sometimes appears as black. The male moose’s height measures up to 2.3m whereas, the females could be as tall as 2m. However, some of its females are even heavier than mature male wapitis, weighing between 200 to 490 kgs. That said, an alces male can weigh between 380 to a mighty 700 kgs. If we talk about moose size comparison with an elk, it is double the size of an elk bull. Their most recognizable feature is the hanging hairy skin under the chin known as ‘bell’. Wind, bulbous and long nose similar to a horse is what makes the alces look distinct from elks. This feature is also a common identifier for the difference between elk and moose. Since elks are travelers and cruise large distances, they have blunted tips of hooves. Wapitis have pointed and spindle-shaped antlers that are pretty much similar to those of a deer. Only male elk and alces grow antlers whereas females and calves don’t. Elks have buff-colored rumps which are their characteristic feature. The color then changes to brownish-gray by the end of summer and as winter arrives, elks turn dark brown. While a female wapiti or cow weighs between 220 to 240 kgs and is 1.3m tall.Īs newborns, the calves are light golden-brown or pale yellow with spots. A mature male elk known as a bull weighs between 320 to 330 kgs and 1.5m in height. They also lack dewlaps (flap of skin hanging from below the neck).ĭo you wonder how big and tall are elk? Well, the size of an elk is not as much as that of a moose. Similarly, knowing difference in key senses along with physical appearance of elk and moose are beneficial.įeaturing a narrow and small snout, wapitis can easily be differentiated with this. Most deer hunters know what colors can deer see. The physical difference between elk and moose is what makes them look un-identical to each other. Eyesight and hearing ability are two of the most important factors in threat and risk detection. Elks are referred to as Wapitis and moose are also known as Alces. Speaking of the naming, many animals from the deer family have more than one name and the same is the case with these two. The most prominent dissimilarities between the members of both subfamilies are their ankle and bone structure. ![]() However, Cervidae is further divided into two subfamilies i.e., Cervinae (Old World Deer) and Capreolinae (New World Deer).Įlks belong to the Cervinae subfamily and moose are categorized into the Capreoline subfamily. So, let’s put it simply for you, elk and moose are members of the Deer family known as ‘Cervidae’. Many people complicate the taxonomic differences only because they fail to understand them. If you are looking for some major difference between elk and moose, make sure to understand the following factors carefully. But, let’s answer one common question i.e., is a moose an elk or vice versa? No, it is not. Is An Elk A Moose? – Difference Between Elk And MooseĪnyone can fall for the skepticism when it comes to the elk moose difference. ![]() To know more about the factors responsible for making these two game animals dissimilar from each other, read along. Using various studies, we have compiled a detailed guide on what is the difference between an elk and a moose. If you are unaware of the unalike characteristics of these animals, you will end up hunting down the wrong one. The confusing difference between elk and moose has left numerous people, especially beginner hunters perplexed. Whereas elks are mid-sized and possess a narrow snout, making their face entirely non-identical to that of a moose. For instance, the moose is the largest member of Cervidae with quite a long nose, which is its most distinguishable feature. Despite belonging to the same deer family ‘ Cervidae’, both animals oppose each other in various ways. Hunters often encounter trouble figuring out the difference between elk and moose. ![]()
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