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While elk and caribou have a lot in common, there are several differences between the two mammals. Elk and caribou are members of the deer family and are herbivores. However, an adult moose is taller and weighs more than an adult caribou. As for the horns, only male moose have them, while horns are found in both females and male caribou.
Both mammals have thick fur that helps them withstand cold temperatures. However, they live in different places. Caribou live in boreal forests and arctic tundra. In addition, moose live in forests and grasslands in North America, East Asia, and other countries around the world.
Check out more information on the significant differences between these two members of the Cervidae family!
Comparison of caribou and moose
| Caribou | Moose | |
|---|---|---|
| The size | 350 lbs. – 400 lbs. | 650 lbs. – 850 lbs. |
| Life span | 12 to 15 years old | 8 to 12 years old |
| Habitat | Boreal forests and arctic tundra. They live in North America, Greenland, Asia and Europe. | Forests and grasslands in North America, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and East Asia. |
| Variety | Rangifer tarandus In Europe, they are known as reindeer, and there are seven subspecies of caribou. |
Cervus canadensis Sometimes called wapiti, there are six subspecies of moose in North America. |
| Coat color | Larger species have light brown to dark brown fur, while smaller species have white fur. | Their coat can be red or gray paired with a patch of gray hair on the rump. |
| Horns | Both male and female caribou have horns; their horns are C-shaped. | Only male moose have antlers. These are long and tall horns with several tips. |
| Sounds | Grunt | Beetle / whistle |
| Hoof shape | The hooves are wide, bifurcated with hair. | Crescent, narrow, bifurcated. |
8 key differences between caribou and elk
To truly compare and contrast these two animals, here are a few key differences that separate them.
Caribou vs Elk: Size
An adult moose is taller and weighs more than an adult caribou. In particular, an adult elk can grow to a height of 56 to 68 inches from hoof to withers. In addition, caribou are 34 to 62 inches tall.
In terms of weight, an adult moose ranges from 650 to 850 pounds! An adult caribou weighs between 350 and 400 pounds.
Caribou vs Elk: Lifespan
The lifespan of these two mammals explains another difference between them. Moose usually don’t live as long as caribou. Moose have a lifespan of 8 to 12 years, while caribou have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Caribou vs. Elk: Habitat
Another difference between the two has to do with their habitat. Many caribou live in the arctic tundra. They have a woolly textured undercoat as well as a top coat that repels moisture to help keep them warm. In addition, caribou hooves are wide and flat, allowing them to maintain balance when walking on snow and ice.
Elk lives in forests, meadows, and sometimes in wetlands. Their narrow, cloven hooves help them walk the soft, damp ground of their forest habitat.
Caribou vs Elk: Species
Although elk and caribou belong to the same family Cervidae, they are different species. The scientific name of the moose is Cervus canadensis… The scientific name for caribou is Rangifer tarandus…
There are seven subspecies of caribou. These include:
- Caribou glaucous (Rangifer tarandus granti)
- Svalbard caribou (Rt Platyrhynchus)
- Caribou European (Rt tarandus)
- Finnish forest reindeer (Rt fennicus)
- Greenlandic caribou (Rt Groenlandicus)
- Forest caribou (Rt caribou)
- Caribou Piri (Rt pearyi)
The six subspecies of moose in North America include:
- Roosevelt Elk (C. c. rosewood)
- Come on, moose (C. c. nanodes)
- Manitoban elk (C. c. Manitobensis)
- Rocky Mountain Elk (C. c. Nelsoni)
- Eastern moose (C. c. canadensis; extinct)
- Merriam’s Elk (CC. Merriami; extinct)
Caribou vs. Moose: Coat Color
Caribou and elk have different colors of fur. In fact, each animal’s fur coat changes color depending on the season.
In winter, moose can have gray or even white hair. When the season changes, the elk sheds its winter coat and takes on a reddish-brown fur for the spring and summer.
Caribou coat can be silver-white or light brown in winter. Color varies among different types of caribou. In summer, the caribou coat turns light brown or dark brown.
Caribou vs Elk: Antlers
Caribou antlers are larger than elk antlers. There is also a difference in shape. Caribou have C-shaped horns, while moose have long, tall horns with several tips.
Caribou vs Elk: The Sounds
Most animals have ways to communicate with each other. Caribou and elk communicate, but in different sounds. Elk are known for their roar during the breeding season. This sound is high-pitched and has been compared to a sibilant howl. In addition, caribou use grunt to communicate with members of their herd.
Caribou vs. Elk: Hoof Shape
Caribou can survive in the arctic tundra thanks to several adaptations. One of these adaptations has to do with their hooves. They are wide and flat, allowing them to walk on slippery ground without losing their balance or falling.
Moose hooves are narrower and bifurcated, so they can walk on wet grass, mud, or dry ground in their forest habitat.
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