Tule elk
| Tule Elk | |
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| female Tule elk | |
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| Subspecies: | C. c. nannodes
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| Binomial name | |
| Cervus canadensis | |
| Trinomial name | |
| Cervus canadensis nannodes | |
The Tule Elk is a subspecies of Elk found only in the grasslands and marshlands of California. It is the smallest subspecies of all American elks, with the average weight of adult males only at 450 - 550 pounds. The females averages 375 - 425 pounds. The calves are similar to deer fawns, with brown coat and white spots. When the Europeans first came half a million roamed in these regions, habitat loss and hunting had reduced the elk population to only 28 in 1895.[2] Conservative measures were taken to protect the species in the 1970s.[3] Today the wild population has exceeded 4,000.[4] Tule Elk can be reliably found in Carrizo Plain National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore and portions of the Owens Valley from Lone Pine to Bishop.
References
- ^ Erxleben, J.C.P. (1777) Anfangsgründe der Naturlehre and Systema regni animalis.
- ^ Kanewske, Rachel. "The Biogeography of the Tule Elk". San Francisco State University.
- ^ Brick, Michael. "Bow Hunters' Quest: Stalking an Elk and a Record". New York Times.
- ^ Kanewske, Rachel. "The Biogeography of the Tule Elk". San Francisco State University.
External links
See also
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