By the mid-twentieth century, hunters had killed so many that they survived only in the region west of the Rocky Mountains. Successful conservation and reintroduction efforts have brought elk back to several regions. Adults reach a shoulder height of 4 to 5 feet, and a length up to 9 feet or more, with a body thickness of about 6 inches. Adult bull elk may weigh more than 1,000 lbs. before the rut, but seldom exceed 900 lbs. Smaller cows usually weigh 500 to 600 lbs.
Elk have slender legs and a thick neck.
Their legs, head, and thick neck fur are a darker brown. Their rump patch and very short tail are a light tan color. An elk calf is light tawny-brown with white spots that are lost during their first change of coat in August. Elk feed on all kinds of plants, but are primarily grazers of grasses. Adult male elks, called bulls, have a dark brown mane or ruff on their throats.