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The Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti), also known as Olympic elk, is the largest of the four surviving subspecies of elk in North America. Their range includes temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, extends to parts of Central California.
The Roosevelt Elk was named after "Teddy" Roosevelt in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevel.
Adults grow to around 6–10 ft in length and stand 2.5–5.6 ft tall at the wither. Elk bulls generally weigh between 700 and 1100 lb , while cows weigh 575–625 lb.
From late spring to early fall, Roosevelt elk feed on herbaceous plants, such as grasses and sedges. During winter months, they feed on woody plants, including highbush cranberry, elderberry, devil's club, and newly planted seedlings (Douglas-fir and western redcedar). Roosevelt elk are also known to eat blueberries, mushrooms, lichens, and salmonberries.
In the wild, Roosevelt elk rarely live beyond 12 to 15 years, but in captivity have been known to live over 25 years.
