Additionally, the sound can disrupt the behavior of other animals, such as deer and birds. For example, the sound of the bugle can attract predators, such as wolves and bears, to the area. The loud and distinctive sound of the bugle can impact other animals and plants in the area. You’re also more likely to see elk during dawn and dusk, so be careful when driving during those hours.Advertisements Impact on Other Animals and Plants If you come across a herd of elk during the rut, be sure to watch from a distance! It’s a great idea to use binoculars and zoom lenses. No wonder they’re guarding their harem so closely! Then, their cycle begins again and bulls will have to wait 20 days before they can try to successfully mate again. Once a cow comes into estrus (“heat”), they have less than 24 hours to mate. The elk rut typically lasts about a month. Check out this video to see an elk running off a bachelor from his harem, with a bit of elk bugling at the tail end of the clip: It is uncommon for these challenges to result in death, but they can end in damage to the elk’s antlers, cuts, and gouges. They will lock antlers and fight until the stronger bull moves the weaker bull away from the harem. If the bulls are similarly matched, however, then the two bulls may charge at each other, heads down. Often, it will just result in the younger, weaker bull trotting off from the harem. And once another male heads towards a bull’s harem, all bets are off. Bulls will rub trees, shrubs, and even the ground with their antlers as a form of intimidating other males. As you can imagine, bulls are highly aggressive during the rut. Watch this video to see a bull with his harem:Įlk antlers + challenges. In fact, bulls can lose up to 20% of their body weight during the rut, as he is focused on defending his harem and doesn’t have as much time to focus on eating. And the bulls will protect their harems from marauding bulls who are looking for mates. Harems can be groups of as little as 3-4 or as large as around 25. Older bulls will form a harem of cows, who have their calves with them, while adolescent males form “bachelor” groups. In the fall, however, the dynamics shift. Throughout the year, bulls typically stick together while the cows and their calves form their own groups. Check out this video to hear an elk bugling in the night at a Land Trust protected area (I’d say he sounds like an older, larger bull!):Įlk groupies: the harem. Older, larger bulls typically bugle more loudly than their younger rivals. The cows actually pay attention to the bugles for clues on the size of the bull. Not only is this a way for the bull to say ‘watch out, I’m powerful’ to other eligible males, it’s also a form of communication to the female elk, or cows. Bulls, or male elk, will make a high-pitched whistle that usually ends in grunts. If you’ve ever heard the haunting, odd sound of an elk bugle, you know what I’m talking about. The most noticeable part of the elk rut (to humans, at least) is the elk bugle. Wait, what?!? Yes, the beginning of fall and all that we humans love about this season is also the start of the elk mating season, also known as the rut. That’s right, it’s officially elk rutting season. The leaves are changing, the days are getting crisper, and pumpkins are for sale at the farmer’s market.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |