TheElk belong to the deer family and are some of the largest deer in the world. They can be found in Asia, as well as North America. Most have a light brown coloring and massive antlers. They also share plenty of similarities with other animals, whether it is because they also come from the deer family or rely on a similar type of diet. So in this article we’re going to look at 11 animals like elk, in one way or another.
11 Animals Like Elk
There are 11 animals that can be like elk for a range of reasons, from diet to appearance and more.
1. Moose
- Scientific name: Alces alces
- How are they like elk: related to elk with similar appearances
Moose can be found in many of the same regions of North America as elk. These tall-hooved animals are also found in areas of Russia and Poland.
Elk and moose have similar body shapes, with angles and split hoofs, but moose will grow to be much larger. They are actually in the same family as elk, and have a diet that consists of various types of vegetation. Moose have been known to dive underwater to eat marine plants as well.
2. White Tail Deer
- Scientific name: Odocoileus virginianus
- How are they like elk: similar diets and appearances
The white-tail deer can be found in North America, and they are most common in the states of Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia. These deer are also native to South and Central America.
They have a similar diet to elk, feeding on a range of vegetation, nuts, and fruit. White-tail deer also have a similar appearance, with large antlers and brownish hair.
3. American Bison
- Scientific name: Bison bison
- How are they like elk: similar size and native to the same regions
The American bison can reach a similar size as elk, though these hooved animals have stockier and more rounded bodies. They have thick hair that they are often hunted for and can be found across regions of North America.
They thrive in some of the same cold habitats as elk do, and have similar diets that mainly consist of grass. Adult bison can reach over 2,000 pounds.
4. Caribou
- Scientific name: Rangifer tarandus
- How are they like elk: they share similar diets and appearances
Caribou are also called reindeer, and can be quite similar to elk. They can be found in some of the same frigid North American diets, and have a similar diet that consists mainly of grass, shrubbery, and other vegetation.
Caribou also have large antlers, and sometimes they will even eat their own antlers once they have fallen off. They have a similar color to elk, but typically appear lighter to blend in with their snowy surroundings.
5. Horse
- Scientific name: Equus caballus
- How are they like elk: similar sizes, body shapes, and diets
Horses are large domesticated animals found in multiple countries worldwide. They can be a similar size to elk, with long legs and hooved feet.
Horses also share a similar diet, relying on grass and other types of vegetation. Domestic horses can also be fed commercial feed.
6. Gazelle
- Scientific name: Gazella
- How are they like elk: they have similar builds and diets
Gazelles are hooved animals native to Africa that have a similar body shape to elk. They have similar thin and long legs, and elongated snouts. However, gazelles are much smaller, only reaching over 100 pounds as adults.
Elk have antlers, but gazelles have two thin horns. They eat grass and other types of vegetation and can run as fast as 60 miles an hour.
7. Pudu
- Scientific name: Pudu
- How are they like elk: they have a similar diet
Pudus belong to the deer family just like elk, but the main thing these animals have in common is their diet. They will both graze on grass and other types of foliage.
The pudu can be found across South America and can be found from high altitudes to sea level. These animals are also the smallest deer in the world, only reaching around 17 inches as adults.
8. Chital
- Scientific name: Axis axis
- How are they like elk: they are also grazing animals with large antlers
The chital is native to India, and like elk, they are known for grassing on grass or similar types of vegetation. They also have a four-chambered stomach, and are known for large antlers set on top of their heads.
Chitals are brown with white spots, similar to the fawns of other types of deer. These animals have more than one common name, including the axis and spotted deer. Chital deer thrive in forest regions, similar to many other deer species.
9. Marsh Deer
- Scientific name: Blastocerus dichotomus
- How are they like elk: similar diets and antler appearances
While marsh deer do not look that similar to elk, they have similar antlers and share a range of the same food. Both of these animals feed on vegetation, and marsh deer will swim through marshes in search of aquatic plants.
These deer have different regions than elk, and can be found in areas of South America. Adult marsh deer are around 4 feet tall, making them a bit smaller than elk.
10. Red Deer
- Scientific name: Cervus elaphus
- How are they like elk: they have a similar size and appearance
The red deer is one of the largest types of deer, only slightly smaller than elk and moose. They have similar antlers to elk, and follow a similar diet of foliage and grass.
Red deer are most common in Africa, Asia, Iran, and Europe. They can also be found in Canada, the United States, Peru, Australia, and New Zealand. Red deer can be found in herds of the same sex, but when mating season starts the males will seek out a herd of females.
11. Fallow Deer
- Scientific name: Dama dama
- How are they like elk: they have similar diets and appearances
The fallow deer have a similar diet and appearance to elk, grazing on grass and presenting large antlers on their head. These animals are native to Turkey, but can also be spotted in Greece, Israel, and Europe. Fallow deer have a light coloring, and are capable of thriving in hot and cold environments.
Conclusion
Around the world, there are various animals that can be like elk, whether it is because they have a similar appearance, live in the same habitats, or have a similar diet.
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