This behavior lessens the chance of a predator approaching the herd undetected and also avoids direct eye contact with each other. Direct eye contact between elk in certain circumstances may be considered a threat. Extraordinary rates of one and half inches in a twenty-four hour period have been documented. Elk calves weigh between 30 and 40 pounds at birth in late spring. By the February following their birth, the calves will weigh 200-300 pounds.
Elk have a large variety of vocalization for communicating with each other.