The linguistic confusion surrounding the name “elk” is a classic example of how geography and history influence the common names of large animals. Depending on which side of the Atlantic a person stands, the term “elk” refers to two entirely different species of the deer family. The animal known as the Elk in North America is a separate biological entity from the animal that carries the same name across much of Europe. These distinct species are the two largest members of the deer family worldwide.
Clarifying the North American “Elk”
The animal commonly referred to as the Elk in North America is scientifically known as Cervus canadensis. It is the second-largest species in the deer family, surpassed only by its larger relative. Early European colonists applied the term “elk” to this creature, transferring the name from a different large deer species they knew back home.
The species is also frequently called the Wapiti, a name derived from the Shawnee and Cree languages meaning “white rump.” This refers to the animal’s distinct pale patch around its tail. Cervus canadensis is closely related to the European Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), and they were historically considered the same species until modern genetic studies confirmed they are distinct. North American elk have a reddish-brown coat and are known for their impressive, branched antlers with multiple tines.
The European Naming Convention
The direct answer to what an “elk” is called in Europe is that the term refers to the animal known as the Moose in North America. This species, Alces alces, is found across the northern forests of both Europe and Asia. The use of “elk” in Europe is the original English name for this creature, while the North American name “moose” was adopted from the Algonquin language.
The European Elk is known by various local names across the continent. For instance, in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway, the animal is called Älg, which is a cognate of the English “elk.” Similarly, in Germany, it is known as the Elch, reflecting the same Germanic root. This historical naming convention is the source of the modern confusion when English speakers from different regions discuss these animals.
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics
The North American Elk (Cervus canadensis) and the European Elk or Moose (Alces alces) display significant physical differences. The most immediate distinction is size; the European Elk is the world’s tallest and heaviest deer species, being more robustly built than its North American namesake. Mature males, or bulls, can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand seven feet tall at the shoulder.
The structure of their antlers provides a clear way to differentiate the two animals. The North American Elk has large, branched antlers that are rounded in cross-section and sweep back with long, sharp tines. In contrast, the male European Elk possesses broad, flattened, and shovel-like antlers, a shape known as palmate, with tines projecting from the outer edge.
Facial Structure
Further differentiation lies in their facial structure. The European Elk has a distinctive, elongated head and a bulbous, overhanging muzzle, often accompanied by a pendulous flap of skin beneath the throat called a “bell.” The North American Elk, or Wapiti, has a much narrower snout and a more streamlined head.
Coat Appearance
The coat of the European Elk is generally dark brown to black with long, pale legs. The North American Elk typically has a lighter, reddish-brown summer coat that darkens in winter, with a noticeable white or pale-colored rump patch.