Yes, elk and deer can mate and produce fertile offspring, though this is only possible in captivity or when game-farm escapees are involved. Reindeer originated in the arctic and subarctic regions, while elk have mainly been found in North America and eastern parts of Asia. Elk also have a reddish hue and a large rump compared to reindeer, which are usually browner in color and have a slimmer look. The main difference between an elk and a reindeer is that elk are typically much heavier than reindeer. What Is The Difference Between An Elk And A Reindeer? Finally, elk cows carry their calves for 20 days longer than red deer hinds, and bull elk carry their antlers for 35 days longer than red deer stags. Another difference is that elk are found in North America, while red deer are found in Europe and Asia. Elk also have much larger antlers than red deer. Elk are the largest members of the deer family, while red deer are the second largest. The main difference between red deer and elk is their size. What Is The Difference Between A Red Deer And An Elk? More specifically, they are one of the largest deer species. Are Elk Considered Deer?Įlk (Cervus canadensis) are a type of deer. Elk are also much more vocal than deer, communicating with each other using a variety of sounds including grunts, bleats, and bugles. Deer are generally solitary animals, while elk live in herds. Elk, on the other hand, are mostly found in forested mountainous regions.įinally, deer and elk also differ in their behavior and social structure. Deer are found in a wider variety of habitats than elk, including forests, woodlands, fields, and even urban areas. The habitats of deer and elk also differ somewhat. This difference in size also extends to their antlers while both male deer and elk grow antlers, those of an elk bull can span six feet or more from tip to tip, while a deer’s antlers are typically only a couple of feet in length. Elk are much larger animals than deer, with bulls weighing up to 1000 pounds or more. One of the most obvious distinctions is their size. Though they are both members of the cervid family and have many similarities, there are also some important differences between these two species. Deer and elk are two popular game animals in North America.

Elk vs deer