Many large deer species roam diverse landscapes, often leading to questions about their identities. Among these, elk and caribou are frequently confused, despite being distinct animals. Understanding their unique characteristics and geographical distributions helps clarify these common misconceptions.
Unraveling the Relationship
Elk and caribou are both members of the deer family (Cervidae) but are different species. Elk are scientifically known as Cervus canadensis, while caribou are classified as Rangifer tarandus.
Confusion often stems from regional naming conventions. What one region calls an “elk” might be known by a different name elsewhere, and the same applies to caribou. This variation in terminology contributes to the perception that they might be the same animal.
Distinguishing Features
Elk and caribou exhibit several physical and behavioral differences. Male elk, also known as bulls, are generally larger, weighing up to 1,100 pounds (500 kg), while caribou typically weigh around 400 pounds (181 kg). Elk have a dark brown body with a lighter rump patch and a shaggy mane, whereas caribou are light brown with white patches and a more compact build suited for colder climates.
Antler structure also distinguishes these species. Only male elk grow antlers, which they shed annually after the mating season. Both male and female caribou grow antlers, a unique trait among deer species. Caribou antlers tend to be broad and can have a distinct C-shape, sometimes appearing larger in overall spread than elk antlers, which are longer with fewer branches.
Their diets reflect their different habitats. Elk are primarily grazers, consuming grasses, sedges, and various plants during warmer months, supplementing with tree bark and twigs in winter. Caribou are also herbivores, but their diet heavily features lichens, especially during the winter, alongside grasses, sedges, and shrubs in summer. Caribou possess specialized hooves that allow them to dig through snow to access these buried food sources.
Elk are gregarious animals, forming herds that can number up to 400 individuals, with sexes often segregated outside the breeding season. Caribou are known for forming even larger herds, sometimes in the tens of thousands, which aids in protection and foraging efficiency during their extensive migrations. These large-scale movements are a defining characteristic of many caribou populations.
Where They Live and What They’re Called
Elk are found across North America and parts of Asia, including Siberia and East Asia, inhabiting diverse environments ranging from mountainous forests and meadows to grasslands. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in various temperate regions. Caribou have a circumpolar distribution, found in Arctic, sub-Arctic, tundra, and boreal forest regions across Northern Europe, Siberia, and North America.
Naming conventions for these animals vary by geographic location. In North America, “elk” refers to Cervus canadensis. However, in Europe, “elk” describes what North Americans call a “moose” (Alces alces). Similarly, “caribou” is the common term for Rangifer tarandus in North America, primarily for wild populations. The same species is known as “reindeer” in Europe and Asia, often applying to domesticated or semi-domesticated populations.