Elk

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/elk

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Cervus canadensis
2. What is the lifespan?10-13 years in the wild; up to 20-25 years in captivity
3. What is an elk and why is it called a forest giant?An elk is a big deer that lives in forests and has huge antlers that look like tree branches. They are called forest giants because they are very large and roam wild forests.
4. How do elk help forests stay healthy?Elk eat trees and shrubs, which stops forests from getting too thick and creates open spaces for birds and small animals. Their grazing also helps move nutrients around in the soil.

Keystone Species: A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.
Obligate Herbivore: An animal that can only survive on a diet of plants.
Rut: The mating season for animals like elk, characterized by increased vocalizations and competition among males.