Elk Size Explained & Compared With Others

Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Amin Tawar

Elk Height & length

Elk Size
Elk Size Explained & Compared With Others

Elk are among the largest deer species. These are found in North America, Asia, and Europe in 12 different subspecies. 

Male elks are classified as mature bulls, which can weigh up to 1200 pounds and reach more than 5.5 feet tall at the shoulders.

Additionally, male mature elks are roughly 25% larger than female mature elks. 

Overall, male elks are 8 feet (2.5 metres) in length and around 5 feet (1.5 metres) tall at the shoulder. Female elk, on the other hand, stand 4 to 4.5 feet (1.3 metres) tall at the shoulder and are 2 metres (6.5 feet) in length.

Size FeetMetres 
Male ElkLength:  8 feet
Height: 5 feet
2.5 metres
1.5 metres
Female ElkLength: 6.5 feet
Height: 4 to 4.5 feet
2 metres
1.3 metres

Elk Weight

Elks are one of the largest deer species, as we already know. They are also one of the largest terrestrial mammals. The bodies of these creatures are massive and thick. 

The typical weight range varies among the various elk species. Overall, adult males weigh between 392 and 1,096 pounds (178 and 497 kg) and adult females weigh between 375 and 624 pounds (170 and 283 kg).

Size Pounds Kilograms 
Male Elk392 and 1,096 pounds178 and 497 kg
Female Elk375 and 624 pounds170 and 283 kg

Elk Horn Size

Every year, bulls or male elks grow new antlers. A silky covering known as velvet covers their new antlers.

Elk antlers feature a total of six times or branches. These Antlers are among the fastest-growing bones known, expanding up to an inch every day throughout the summer. 

Overall, a mature bull’s antlers can be up to a length of about 4 feet (1.2 meters) and weigh up to 20 lbs. 1

Baby Elk Size

Female elk, commonly referred to as cows, give birth to calves or young elk. Elks give birth to babies that weigh between 33 and 35 pounds (15-16 kg) after a 240 to 260-day gestation period. 

Elk’s calves are enormous and, at six months old, they are the same size as adult white-tailed deer.

Elk Size Comparison To Human 

Elk Size compared with human
Elk Size Explained & Compared With Others

Given the massive stature of the Elk, all of us at some point have wondered how exactly big an elk is in real life. You will be surprised to know that they can be eye to eye with an average human being even while on the fours, and while comparing them in body length they will definitely surpass us. 

To determine just how big these massive creatures are, we need to make a clear comparison between us and elks. 

So, considering that the average human being weighs around 110 to 154 lbs (50 – 70 kgs) with a height of 5.5-5.9 ft. 

While the average elk stands from 2.6 to 4.1 feet tall and has a nose-to-tail length of 8 ft. 10 in.

All elk species have an average weight range of 392 to 1,096 pounds (178-497 kg) for adult males and 375-624 pounds (170-283 kg) for adult females.

With these specifics, we can easily ascertain that an elk can be about 8 times the size of an adult human.

Size Elk sizeAverage Human
Height 4 to 5 feet tall5.5-5.9 ft
Weight 400 and 1,100 pounds110 to 154 lbs

Elk Size Comparison To Car

Elk Size compared with car
Elk Size Explained & Compared With Others

Knowing how tall or heavy an animal is without seeing it in person might be difficult. As a result, we frequently attempt to equate their proportions to daily objects. Similarly, we may estimate the size of an elk by comparing it to vehicles such as the Ford F-150, Honda Civic, and Honda Cr-V. 

We all know how big these vehicles are, weighing about 2000 to 4000 pounds. Specifically, the Ford F-150 weighs 4713 pounds with a length of about 231.7 inches, 77.2 inches tall, and 79.9 inches wide; on the other hand, the Honda Civic weighs about 2,935 pounds with a length of about 184 inches and 55.7 inches tall. 

The Honda Cr-V weighs approximately 3497 pounds with a length of 184.8 inches and 66.2 inches tall. 

Comparing them to the size of an elk which can weigh up to 1200 pounds and reach more than 66 inches tall with a length of about 108 inches. 

We can clearly conclude that given cars weigh more than elks. However, irrespective of this they appear to be equal and only slightly smaller than the cars.

If standing beside the vehicle these giants will look probably larger, but never small due to their massive build and large antlers.

Size Elk sizeFord F150
Height 4 to 5 feet tall6.4 ft
Weight 400 and 1,100 pounds4713 pounds

Elk size Vs Moose Size Comparison 

Elk Size compared with moose
Elk Size Explained & Compared With Others

Elk is much smaller than moose, which are the biggest mammals in Colorado. A male moose may stand 6 to 7 feet tall and weigh over 1,000 pounds. 

Whereas, bull elk is 4 to 5 feet tall at the shoulders and weighs around 600 pounds. As a result, moose are significantly heavier and taller than elk. 

Size Elk sizeMoose size
Height 4 to 5 feet tall6 to 7 feet tall
Weight 400 and 1,100 pounds840 and 1,550 pounds

Elk Size Vs Deer Size Comparison

Elk Size compared with deer
Elk Size Explained & Compared With Others

Elk grow substantially larger than other deer species, including white-tailed deer, red deer, roe deer, and mule deer. 

They have larger, stronger bodies and stand taller at the shoulders in comparison to deers. 

Males may reach 400 to 1,100 pounds and stand 3 to 5 feet tall, whilst females typically weigh 375 to 650 pounds and measure 3 to 5 feet tall. 

In meanwhile, most deer are just 2 to 4 feet tall. Furthermore, most deer do not weigh even close to an average elk. 

Male deer typically average between 100 and 300 pounds, while big bucks can weigh up to 450 pounds which is quite rare.

Therefore, with the given details we can easily spot the differences among their size, which makes elk much larger than deer.

Size Elk sizeDeer size 
Height 4 to 5 feet tall2 to 4 feet tall
Weight 400 and 1,100 pounds100 and 300 pounds

Elk Size Vs Horse Size Comparison

In terms of size, a horse and an elk are almost equivalent. However, specifically, a horse mostly dominates an elk. 

The average horse stands between 4.8 and 5.7 feet tall and weighs around 2205 pounds. 

Elk, on the other hand, weighs between 400 and 1,100 pounds and measures 3 to 5 feet tall, as we have mentioned before. In light of this, we may conclude that elk are smaller than typical horses.

Size Elk sizeHorse size
Height 3 to 5 feet tall4.8 and 5.7 feet
Weight 400 and 1,100 pounds2205 pounds

Conclusion

And that was everything you need to know about the size of Elk. I hope this article was informative enough and your queries were answered.

Thank You For Reading!

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