There are many differences between elks and reindeer, which belong to the deer family. Cervidae are both animals that live in different parts of the world, sometimes overlapping, though they are both members of the Cervidae family.
Typically living in cold climates, both reindeer and elk live in herds, mainly in herds. Most people in North America refer to domesticated caribou as reindeer, with some referring to all reindeer as caribou. There are two kinds of reindeer in Europe, however. The main differences between them and their uniqueness will be explained below.
In addition to their respective appearances and ranges, elk and reindeer have different relationships to humans. Let’s take a closer look at these.
There is a 25%-50% difference in size between elk and reindeer (often called caribou in North America). Elk only have antlers on their males, while reindeer do on both males and females. It is believed that both animals live in cold climates, but elk are commonly found in Central Asia and some parts of North America, while reindeer, on the other hand, are often found in Europe, North America, and Siberia. Domesticating reindeer has been a human tradition for thousands of years, but it isn’t done with elk, which are farmed, but not domesticated.
Read More Sawfish vs Sawshark
Elk Vs Reindeer: Size and appearance
Reindeer are smaller than elk. Elk weigh approximately 650-850 pounds on average, but they can grow much larger if given enough time. There is often confusion between moose and elk, mainly because both animals are so big (and they are both deer-like animals). Deer family members, elk and moose, are the largest. There is no antler growth in female elk, but males do. Their fur is brown, and their bottoms are usually white, however this can change based on the time of year and location.
The reindeer family is comprised of large species, but they aren’t as large as elk. Domesticated reindeer generally weigh less than 350 lbs, and their weight ranges from 350 to 400 lbs. In many regions and seasons, reindeer exhibit a wide range of colors. Rare genetic mutations, such as those causing white reindeer, cause black reindeer to be white instead of albinized.
Elk Vs Reindeer: Range
There are vast areas of highlands across the world where elk live. North American highlands, Siberia, and central Asia are the main areas where they live. The Colorado elk herd reaches 280,000 individuals, the highest in the world. Elk populations are rebounding after being reduced by hunting in the past. On the east coast of the United States, elk have recently been reintroduced in the Appalachian Mountains, where their populations are now stable. Australia and New Zealand have also introduced them. Elk in North America are classified into six subspecies.
There is a large range of reindeer as well. North America, Greenland, Asia, Siberia, and the northern regions of Scandinavian countries are all home to these animals, which can be found pretty much anywhere in the arctic. Reindeer are found throughout the world in seven different species.
Read More Guanaco Vs Llama
Elk Vs Reindeer: Habitat
In order to live in a particular habitat, elk have adapted differently than reindeer. It’s no surprise that Colorado has such high numbers of elk since they prefer boreal forests and meadows. The thick coats of elk are thinner than those of reindeer, and their cloven and narrow hooves are specially adapted. In the regions that they frequent, especially where there are swamps and mud, the narrow hooves prevent them from sinking into the soft ground.
There are several types of reindeer, all of which live in cold regions of the world. The circumpolar range of these animals encompasses the area around the north pole, as they are circumpolar. A vast expanse of rock, sparse grass, ice, and snow, known as the arctic tundra, supports large populations of creatures. When reindeer want to bed down, they will also enter boreal and pine forests. Two layers of fur protect them from moisture, including a wooly undercoat and an outer coat. They also have wide, flat hooves, which helps them walk through deep snow without sinking.
Elk Vs Reindeer: Human use
There is a vast difference in the extent to which humans use elks and reindeer. Hunting and meat production are almost the only uses of elk by humans. Despite elk farming being new in North America, elk farms exist for two reasons: to supply local restaurants and niche businesses with elk meat and to provide hunters with a steady supply of animals. Modern people and natives have eaten elk meat for thousands of years because of its nutritional value.
People use reindeer more than they use elk. Over thousands of years, native peoples all over the world have domesticated reindeer for more than just meat. Indigenous peoples have bred and raised reindeer for ages for their milk, cheese, meat, and fur. Similarly to sled dogs in Alaska, reindeer are also used by Siberian dwellers for pack and draft duties.
Read More Groundhog vs Muskrat
