Elk vs. Antelope — What's the Difference?

Engage in bugling and antler battles during the rut.

Mating behaviors include territorial fights and elaborate displays.

Large members of the deer family with impressive antlers.

Diverse group with varying horn shapes and sizes.

Primarily grazers, feeding on grasses and plants.

Herbivores with diets that vary by species.

Inhabit forests and grasslands of North America.

Widely distributed across Africa, Asia, and parts of the Americas.

Known for their social herd behavior.

Social structures range from large herds to solitary.

The elk (Cervus canadensis), also known as the wapiti, is one of the largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America, as well as Central and East Asia. It is often confused with the larger Alces alces, which is called moose in North America, but called elk in British English, and related names in other European languages (German Elch, Swedish älg, French élan).

The term antelope is used to refer to many species of even-toed ruminant that are indigenous to various regions in Africa and Eurasia. Antelope comprise a wastebasket taxon (miscellaneous group) within the family Bovidae, encompassing all Old World ruminants that are not bovines, sheep, goats, deer, or giraffes.

A large reddish-brown or grayish deer (Cervus canadensis) of western North America, having long, branching antlers in the male. The elk is sometimes considered a subspecies of the closely related red deer. Also called wapiti.

A swift-running deerlike ruminant with smooth hair and upward-pointing horns, of a group native to Africa and Asia that includes the gazelles, impala, gnus, and elands.

Chiefly British The moose.

Any of various swift-running ruminant mammals of the family Bovidae, native to Africa and Eurasia and having unbranched horns.

A light, pliant leather of horsehide or calfskin, tanned and finished to resemble elk hide.

A pronghorn.

Any of various large species of deer such as the red deer, moose or wapiti (see usage notes).

Leather made from antelope hide.

Any of the subspecies of the moose (Alces alces, alternatively named Eurasian elk to avoid confusion with the wapiti), that occurs only in Europe and Asia.

Any of several African mammals of the family Bovidae distinguished by hollow horns, which, unlike deer, they do not shed.

Any moose (Alces alces), the largest member of the deer family.

(US) The pronghorn, Antilocapra americana.

(North America) common wapiti (Cervus canadensis), the second largest member of the deer family, once thought to be a subspecies of red deer.

A fierce legendary creature said to live on the banks of the Euphrates, having long serrated horns and being hard to catch.

(British India) Sambar (Cervus unicolor).

One of a group of ruminant quadrupeds, intermediate between the deer and the goat. The horns are usually annulated, or ringed. There are many species in Africa and Asia.

A large deer, of several species. The European elk Alces alces (formerly Alces machlis or Cervus alces) is closely allied to the American moose. The American elk, or wapiti (Cervus Canadensis) the largest member of the deer family, has large, spreading antlers and is closely related to the European stag. See Moose, and Wapiti.

Graceful Old World ruminant with long legs and horns directed upward and backward; includes gazelles; springboks; impalas; addax; gerenuks; blackbucks; dik-diks

The European wild or whistling swan (Cygnus ferus).

A member of the fraternal organization named Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, supporting various services to their communities.

Large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called elk in Europe and moose in North America

Elk have annually shed antlers, while antelope have permanent horns.

Many antelope species are known for their speed, which is a defense mechanism against predators.

While there might be overlap in some regions, elk and antelope generally occupy different habitats.

Elk are primarily found in North American forests and grasslands.

Elk mating rituals involve bugling and antler battles, while antelope have varied rituals, including fights and displays.

Both are herbivores, but elk primarily graze on grasses, while antelope diets can vary significantly among species.

Elk form large herds that provide protection and enhance mating opportunities.

Generally, elk are larger and more robust compared to most antelope species.

Antelopes inhabit diverse environments, from African savannas to Asian deserts.

Both serve as important grazers, impacting vegetation and serving as prey for predators.

Human activities, such as habitat destruction and hunting, can impact both elk and antelope populations.

Antelope social structures range from large herds to solitary living, depending on the species.

Elk shed their antlers annually as part of their natural life cycle, which is linked to breeding seasons and hormonal changes.

While not commonly domesticated, certain antelope species are kept in parks or reserves, and elk are farmed in some regions for their meat and antlers.

Conservation efforts for both include habitat preservation, anti-poaching measures, and wildlife management programs.