They keep feeding morning, afternoon, evening and even in the middle of the night, although they feed more often at dawn and dusk. They are building up fat in preparation for the mating season and then the long winter. If people had to eat and chew their food as much as elk do in the summer, we would have less than 10 free minutes every hour for other activities. One elk feeding alone is vulnerable to predators, but elk feeding in herds are much safer. At least one animal will have its head up, listening and watching for trouble while the others eat.
Elk are even safer when they are resting and ruminating.
Keeping Cool Elk tolerate heat much better than the mule deer that often share the same summer habitat. Deer seek shelter and may stop feeding during a hot spell, but elk can sweat more to cool off. Still, during a hot spell, they may retreat to north and east slopes to take shelter among the trees. They may also stay near water, and sometimes they stand in a stream or pond. Elk will sometimes wallow and cover themselves in mud, which absorbs body heat as it dries and also protects them from biting insects.