The Tule Elk of California Photo by Gary Ferrence Adult male Tule elk posing for a good photo. The Tule Elk considered the smallest of all the Elk species in North America is endemic to California. The adult bulls have an average weight of 450-500 lbs., with some topping the scales at up to 700lbs. The coats are a light buffy beige with a darker brown long haired mane circling the necks of both the males and females. The calves are similar to regular deer calves, with a light brown spotted coat.
All animals display a prominent white rump.
They average 7 feet in length and stand 4-5 feet in height at the shoulder. The male yearlings are also known as spikes, during their first year of antler growth they only have one antler that is very thin and spindly compared to the large six point racks that the dominant males demonstrate. The females do not have antlers and the males drop theirs annually which re-grow a little larger with more tines as the yearling ages. The Tule Elk thrive in the moderate Mediterranean climate and subsequent vegetation type in its native range. It was estimated that half a million animals roamed these regions and that the grandness of the scene has only been likened to what is seen in the Serengeti.