If you’ve ever heard someone call a moose an elk – or vice versa – you’re not alone. In different parts of the world, these two hefty members of the deer family are known by the same name, which has caused more than a little confusion. So, are they the same animal, or different species altogether?
Are moose and elk the same species?
In Europe, the name elk is commonly used to describe Alces alces – the largest member of the deer family. But in North America, that same species is called a moose, while the name “elk” refers to an entirely different animal: Cervus canadensis, also known as the wapiti.
It’s this transatlantic mix-up that has led to the two species often being mistaken for one another. To keep things clear, scientists tend to use Latin names – and once you understand the distinctions, the differences are quite easy to spot.
Moose (Alces alces)
The moose is the largest and tallest species of deer in the world. It’s instantly recognisable by its long legs, bulbous nose, and in males, a set of broad, flattened antlers. Only males grow antlers, shedding them in winter and regrowing them each year.
While moose are no longer one of the UK's deer species, they are found across the forests of northern Europe, Asia, and North America, typically favouring cold, wooded environments. In Sweden, Norway and Russia, you may hear locals refer to them as elk – adding to the name confusion. In fact, moose/elk were once found here, but were extinct in the UK by 1915 BC. Surprisingly, however, they are slowly recolonising areas of Europe – and elk may soon return to British shores.
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Elk (Cervus canadensis)
The species North Americans call elk – Cervus canadensis – is more closely related to the UK’s red deer, and shares a similar build and antler shape. Elk are slightly smaller than moose, with narrower, more branched antlers, a longer face, and a more slender body overall.
They’re native to North America and parts of eastern Asia, and were once widespread across much of the continent before their numbers declined due to hunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts have since helped reintroduce them in several areas.
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What’s the difference between moose and elk?
- If you’re in North America, moose refers to Alces alces and elk refers to Cervus canadensis.
- In Europe, elk usually refers to Alces alces – the same animal North Americans call a moose.
- Cervus canadensis, meanwhile, is more rarely discussed in the UK, but it’s a distinct species in its own right.
So next time you hear the term "elk", it’s worth checking which side of the Atlantic you're on – it might not mean what you think!