Elk, Moose

Elks (Alces alces) are Sweden’s largest land mammals. They are related to other species of deer.
The bulls are larger than the cows and only the bulls carry antlers. They shed their antlers every year. New antlers develop in the spring or summer. While the antlers are growing they are covered with a soft skin called velvet. When the antlers have finished growing in time for the autumn mating season the bulls scrape the dry velvet from their antlers.
Elks are ruminants and they feed primarily on buds, twigs, bark and herbs.’
The mating season starts in September. Elk cows are pregnant for 8 months and their calves are born in the spring. The calves suckle until the autumn and accompany the mother throughout their first year. Just before the cow is due to give birth again she drives off her year-old calves which then have to fend for themselves.

Order: Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)
Family: Deer (Cervidae)
Average weight: Male (bull) 450 kg
Female (cow) 350kg
Shoulder height: Up to 2.30 m
Mating season: September-October
Gestation time: c. 8 months
No. of calves: 1-2, commonly 2
Sexually mature: At 2 years
Life span: 10 years in the wild, up to 20 in captivity

Did you know?

About 100 000 elks are shot in Sweden every year.
There are elks in all parts of Sweden except on the island of Gotland.
There are two types of antlers – palmate or tined.