Cows, on the other hand are approximately two-thirds as large as bulls. It takes all spring and summer for the antlers to reach full maturity, usually by August. The process of growing even larger antlers begins again in the spring. New antlers are covered with a soft brown velvet-like fuzz. As the elk matures and the velvet peels off, the underlying antler is white.
Bulls rub their antlers against tree bark to speed up the peeling process.
In the winter elk survive mainly on twigs, buds, and bark. Good swimmers, elk can move through water at speeds of 6 mph for several hours at a time. Water plants are a particular favorite food of elk. Mothers are extremely protective of their young who stay with them until they are approximately 1 year old, or until she is ready to have more babies.