these are matriarchal herds as like elephants. One single female dominates the herd, i.e. They are social animals living n groups called herds. In winter, the coat gets lightly coloured and thicker, while it is dark tanned with short fur in the summer. According to the climate, elks change their colour and the thickness of the coat. Additionally, their neck is darker and the rump is white, those are unique features too. The shaggy neck and the presence of mane are important features of them. They live in forests as well as the habitats along the edges of the forests. Males, called bulls or stags, grow larger with a body weight could go as high as 480 kilograms, while females, known as cows or hinds, weigh almost 300 kilograms. The physical characteristics along with other biological aspects are interesting in both moose and elk.Įlk is an even-toed ungulate with a hugely built body, which measures more than 2.5 metres of height. The natural distribution seems alike but with some distinctions. Therefore, it would be important to discuss the differentiation of an elk from a moose. Elk has pointed antlers while moose has palmated antlers.Moose and Elk are the largest among the members of Family: Cervidae.Elks leave track marks that are slightly lighter while moose leave track marks that are deeper and larger.Elk has blunt tip hooves while moose has pointed tip hooves.Elk has a tooth-shaped hoof while moose has a heart-shaped hoof.Elk gathers in herds while moose travel alone.Elk has a slender and pointed snout while moose has a large and bulbous snout.The neck of the elk is dark brown than the rest of the body while the moose has the same color on the neck and the rest parts of the body.Elk is comparatively smaller while moose is comparatively larger in body size.You Might Also Like: Difference between Stag and Buck Deer Main Differences between Elk and Moose They do not gather in herds instead, they travel alone. Their coat color is blackish-brown and it is the same on the whole body. The main characteristics of moose are flat, broad antlers, and strange-looking bulky faces. See also 9 Crucial Difference Between Reptiles and Mammals with Table They are found in the Northern areas of America, Canada, and Alaska. They prefer to live in temperate and cool climate areas. Moose is the largest extant deer species with broad, flat antlers. Their hooves are tooth-shaped for the same reason. The tips of the hooves are blunt as they travel for longer distances. The male elk produces a sound that is high and loud. Its color and thickness depend on the climate. They have shaggy necks that are dark brown compared to the body. Their herds can be made up of about 1000 individuals. It can live both in deserts and semi-desert places. They live in mountain forests in North America and East Asia. They are the second-largest deer after the moose. You Might Also Like: Difference between Deer and Reindeer What is Elk?Įlk is a large deer with brownish-red fur and large antlers that live in the forests of North America. See also 19 Difference Between Salamander and Lizard with Similarities Track marks The track marks are slightly lighter. Tips of hooves Has blunt tips as they travel long distances. Rump It has pale yellow to white in the color rump. Has palmated antlers, tines protrude from the edges. Bull antlers Has long brow tines and distinct main beams and points. Snout It has a slender and pointed snout. It has a dark, blackish-brown body with white gray legs. Appearance Reddish-brown to light brown body with darker legs. It has the same color on the neck as the body. Neck The neck is dark brown compared to the body. Height It is 5 feet at the shoulder, 8 feet from nose to tail. Found in Canada and Alaska also, in New England, Latvia, Estonia, Scandinavia, Fennoscandia, and Russia.

Scientific names Cervus Canadensis Alces alces Location Found in North America and Eastern Asia. Refers to the largest extant species of deer with broad flat antlers. You Might Also Like: Difference between Eagle and Hawk Comparison Table (Elk vs Moose) Characteristics Elk Moose Meaning Refers to a large deer with brownish-red fur and large antlers that live in forests of North America. So, what is the difference between elk and moose? An elk has long brow tines, distinct main beam, and points in their antlers while moose has palmated antlers, and tines protrude from the edges.

Elk vs moose