Cervus canadensis
Domain - Eukaryote
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Artiodactyla (“even” - “number of toes”)
Family - Cervidae
Genus - Cervus
Species- canadensis
Cervus canadensis (Elk) is one of the largest species within the Cervidae family (deer), and is also considered one of the largest land mammals in North America and Eastern Asia based upon mass and size. The word “Elk” comes from two languages: Old English - elh, and German - elch; Both words mean “Moose”, because the genus Cervus (Elk) was mistaken for the genus Alces (moose) due to similar anatomical structures (Harper, 2006). Cervus canadensis was believed to be a subspecies of Cervus elaphus …show more content…
This is known as “parallel walk” in which each bull assess the others body/antler size and strength. Bulls will also roar as an an attempt of intimidation. The vocalness of these roars, in turn, are a reflection of their mass and robustness. If neither opponent backs down, the two will compete by wrestling. Bulls will sometimes sustain severe injuries including death during this sparing of antlers. This means a small frail bull with larger antlers would most likely not last even the first competition for mates. The fact that the cows find his antlers attractive would do him little good. This form of selection by female elk is to their benefit. Although it might seem unnecessary to choose the bull with the largest antlers and instead go for the bull with the largest size, or for other reasons, antler size says much more than their appearance. Bulls antlers indicate health, age and social statues. This sexual selection has a close correlation to the health of the cow's offspring. A male whole can sustain the weight of these antlers along side the struggle of fighting against other suitors will most likely be of prime age (6 to 12 years old). Other suitors can “cheat” and channel nutrients disproportionately to antlers, even though this will be at the cost of an exceedly weak overall physique. This would in turn affect them negatively during breeding season as bulls will engage in high energy battles, proving that only the honest males with the best genes will win. These genes will not only be passed on to male offspring but also female offspring. (Brown, 1985). During the winter, Elk converge into larger herds. The bulls and cows typically remain separate. The herds then return to their lower valley areas where they will then spend the rest of the season digging through snow to search for any grass and brush that is left to eat (Frabel, 2016). An over abundance of trees can
Domain - Eukaryote
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Artiodactyla (“even” - “number of toes”)
Family - Cervidae
Genus - Cervus
Species- canadensis
Cervus canadensis (Elk) is one of the largest species within the Cervidae family (deer), and is also considered one of the largest land mammals in North America and Eastern Asia based upon mass and size. The word “Elk” comes from two languages: Old English - elh, and German - elch; Both words mean “Moose”, because the genus Cervus (Elk) was mistaken for the genus Alces (moose) due to similar anatomical structures (Harper, 2006). Cervus canadensis was believed to be a subspecies of Cervus elaphus …show more content…
This is known as “parallel walk” in which each bull assess the others body/antler size and strength. Bulls will also roar as an an attempt of intimidation. The vocalness of these roars, in turn, are a reflection of their mass and robustness. If neither opponent backs down, the two will compete by wrestling. Bulls will sometimes sustain severe injuries including death during this sparing of antlers. This means a small frail bull with larger antlers would most likely not last even the first competition for mates. The fact that the cows find his antlers attractive would do him little good. This form of selection by female elk is to their benefit. Although it might seem unnecessary to choose the bull with the largest antlers and instead go for the bull with the largest size, or for other reasons, antler size says much more than their appearance. Bulls antlers indicate health, age and social statues. This sexual selection has a close correlation to the health of the cow's offspring. A male whole can sustain the weight of these antlers along side the struggle of fighting against other suitors will most likely be of prime age (6 to 12 years old). Other suitors can “cheat” and channel nutrients disproportionately to antlers, even though this will be at the cost of an exceedly weak overall physique. This would in turn affect them negatively during breeding season as bulls will engage in high energy battles, proving that only the honest males with the best genes will win. These genes will not only be passed on to male offspring but also female offspring. (Brown, 1985). During the winter, Elk converge into larger herds. The bulls and cows typically remain separate. The herds then return to their lower valley areas where they will then spend the rest of the season digging through snow to search for any grass and brush that is left to eat (Frabel, 2016). An over abundance of trees can