Elk

The elk, known as the moose in North America, is the largest living species of deer. Male elk can stand up to 2.1 metres tall at the shoulder and weigh around 800 kilograms. They are easily recognised by their large, flat antlers, long legs, humped shoulders, and the loose skin hanging from their throats. Their upper lips hang over slightly, and they have a distinctive rounded nose. Elk live in forests and mixed woodlands across North America, northern Europe, and Russia. In Britain, they lived until the Bronze Age but are now extinct. They prefer areas close to lakes, rivers, and wetlands where there is plenty of water plants. Elk are usually alone and most active at dawn and dusk. They spend much of their time feeding on woody plants, water plants, and tree bark. Male elk lose their antlers every year after the autumn mating season. They are strong swimmers and can dive several metres underwater to reach plants growing below the surface.