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Cervus canadensis
This is an Elk or otherwise known as a Cervus canadensis. Elks can vary in height and weight size. This Elk was found just outside of Jasper National Park around here you can also find mountain goats as well as others. The Elk has a parasitic relationship with flukes. The flukes takes blood from the Elk in doing this it takes nutrients from the Elk hence the symbiotic relationship, parasitism. Because of the Elks large amount of eating, the Elk actually has four parts to it's stomach to digest all it's food. Elks also are built for speed because they need to be able to run fast to escape predators. They also use there antlers to protect themselves. Elk reproduce using sexual reproduction and the females usually give birth to one and very rarely two offspring.
Elk live in forested areas; this one was found in Jasper National Park. Elk typically eat grass year round, tree bark in the winter, and forbes and tree sprouts in the summer. The eat on average of about 20lbs of vegetation daily. Wolves, coyotes, and brown and black bears are the predators. They mainly keep to themselves and eat lots of plants and other veggies.
Spotted on Jun 19, 2015
Submitted on Oct 21, 2015
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