![]() ![]() Conveniently for those pursued, megaloceros males have difficultly navigating thickly forested areas, making them natives of plains and the woods’ edge. This leads to common misconceptions and exaggerations about the creature’s monstrous size. Unlike elk, megaloceros antlers are decidedly enormous and sometimes wider than their bodies are long. The average male is a towering, dangerous creature with antlers that can alone weigh nearly 100 pounds. Similar in form to the elk but far superior in size is the megaloceros. During dry seasons, elk often make great trips to find abundant food sources, which can sometimes force out lesser creatures from a habitat. During the summer months, they graze on the grasses they can find. They move from low to high ground, where tree bark is an abundant food source. Elk migrate throughout the year, typically to avoid the snow. When they make their tell-tale noise (called bugling,) it booms and echoes for miles, and females often consider the loudest males the most suitable as mates. During the remainder of the year, they roam and graze widely. Elk are hibernating creatures, being almost unheard of during the winter season. Most are only nursed for a couple of months before they join with the rest of the herd. After mating season, cows care for calves for only a short time. During mating season, cows don’t always produce offspring, though when they do, typically only one or two elk are born. Any threat to that establishment is met with violent force, with battles between rivals often resulting in fierce clashing of antlers and contests of strength-though such rarely prove deadly. During mating season, a dominant bull maintains a harem of as many as 20 cows. Cows and the young tend to stick near dens, so bulls are more likely to be found wandering their wide territories. Habitat & Societyĭuring most of the year, elk maintain large groups of their own genders. While most natural predators steer clear of elk herds, many humanoid or monstrous hunters manage to pick off elk by relying on ranged weapons or great physical prowess. Very few predators can stand up to a group of defensive elk, though wolves, bears, boars, and hunting cats often attack the young, sick, or unwary who venture away from the herd. ![]() Herd members actively protect each other, doing what they can to defend those incapable of fleeing, yet also recognizing hopeless causes. Most breeds of elk stay in herds with upwards of 50 members. Both bulls and cows are quite strong, their kicks proving deadly deterrents against many would-be attackers. The antlers of common elk stand 4 feet tall and spread about 6 feet wide. Because of their size, though, they can damage an ecosystem, eating great amounts of food and sometimes competing with other herbivores for resources.īull elk keep their antlers for about 7 to 8 months of the year, maintaining them as a primary form of defense. Physiologically, they’re similar to deer and other grazing animals with their patterns of travel and interaction with other creatures. EcologyĮlk live relatively long lives for herd animals, with some bulls living for over 15 years. Most breeds of elk stand between 3 and 5 feet tall and weigh between 350 and 550 pounds, with females being far slighter than males. ![]() Many humanoid cultures rely on elk herds, using them as valued food sources, work animals, and companions. Their size, strength, and antlers-reaching up to 10 feet wide on some males-allow them to contend with most of their environment’s dangers, though herds generally favor flight to combat.Įlk also prove exceptionally adaptable and remarkable survivors, capable of living through severe changes in weather and in a variety of environments without concern. Related to deer, elk prove important parts of many ecologies, being able to fend off or flee many threats while feeding greater predators. Powerful and swift land mammals, elk range through the plains, hills, and forests of many wildernesses, in great herds. Most breeds of elk stand between 3 and 5 feet tall and weigh between 350 and 550 pounds, with females far slighter than the males. Elk also prove exceptionally adaptable survivors, capable of living through severe weather changes without concern. Their size, strength, and antlers allow them to contend with most of their environment’s dangers, though herds generally favor flight to combat. Organization solitary, pair, or herd (3-50)Įlk range in great herds throughout the plains, hills, and forests of many wilderness areas. Init +3 Senses low-light vision Perception +7 ![]()
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