Main Points
Bull elk can weigh between 840 and 1,100 pounds.Elk, moose, and deer antlers can span four feet wide and weigh 20 pounds!
Both hilarious and unpleasant at the same time, almost everyone has experienced a faceplant. Luckily, no one has had to fall straight onto a set of antlers. More so, it’s unlikely that anyone has had over 800 pounds of body weight crushing them simultaneously. Unfortunately, the animal in this video experienced both of these factors in his epic fall. In the video, a huge bull elk decided that no obstacle can stand in his way. Despite the imposing wire fence before him, a massive elk attempts to hurdle this barrier with little success. He steps back as if to wind up. Then he lurches forward, and his front legs become caught underneath the first wire. As a result, he plummets ahead–antler-first–into the ground. After a dizzying recovery, the elk trots forward nonchalantly as if to say, “Surely no one saw that!” The elk feels invincible as he struts right in front of a moving car. Luckily, he was quick enough to avoid the red truck driving down the road. Then, the elk approaches yet another wire fence. Learning from his last mistake, he hesitates to charge the fence deciding whether he wants to try his luck again. The elk builds up the courage to jump and misses the first wire by what seems like less than an inch. While luck is on his side for his final jump, this elk won’t forget his first face plant.
Beyond the Faceplant: Elk Facts
Elk are the biggest subspecies of red deer, which can be encountered on North America and Asia continents. While many elk can weigh over 800 pounds, elk size and weight depend on location. For example, elk from southern California may only weigh a little over a fourth of what an elk from Alberta, Canada. In the United States, elk can be found in states like Pennsylvania or California and in the Rocky Mountains. Their habitat consists of coniferous and deciduous forests, tundra, and prairies, to name a few. Overall, elk are adaptable and can reside and thrive in various environments.
Elk History
The term “elk” comes from the Germanic root and means “hart” or “stag.” It is believed that elk crossed over the Bering Land Bridge into Alaska during the Siberian Ice Age. This action led to their establishment in North America. Originally, elk mainly lived in the upper half of North America due to competition with other similar kinds of deer. Native Americans had previously hunted elk with frequency due to the elk’s desirable skin. After many Native American indigenous groups were plagued by diseases brought by European colonizers, elk populations increased. These groups used the elk in several ways, including in rituals and traditional practices.
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