About

Another name for an elk is the “wapiti”. The Native American word means “light-colored deer”. Deer are close relatives, but the elk is much larger. A male elk’s antlers can reach 4 feet over their head. Their antlers can grow up to one inch each day, making it the fastest growing bone of any mammal. The antlers of a male will fall off every March and will regrow in the spring. New antlers are coated with fuzzy velvet, which allows the living tissue to be supplied with nutrients. Once the bone has completely developed the antler hardens and the velvet is shed.

Find me at EPZ

Location: Across from bison exhibit

Arrived at EPZ: Sharon - 09/07/2009