Females range in weight from 500 to 700 lbs., while the bull elk can reach 700 to 1100 lbs. The preferred habitat of the elk is open woodlands, but they can adapt to other areas quite easily. Herds are found in many of our national parks. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming boasts one of the largest herds. Large herds are also found in Estes Park in Colorado.
Most northern parks have to feed the elk each year when most of the natural food is gone.
Elk, like most all Cervids, are true ruminants and have no gall bladder. They are herbivores, feeding on grass, twigs, leaf shoots of bushes and bark. They paw with their front feet to uncover any grass or other natural foods such as brouse, clover, vetch or forbs. In winter, they make necessary adjustments to their eating habits to make use of what is available. When raised in captivity, elk should be fed a supplement of alfalfa, clover hay and any other hay with corn, as well as a balanced diet of grain supplements.