The Roosevelt elk is the largest elk subspecies in North America. Adult bulls usually weigh 700 to 1,100 pounds and stand about 5 feet tall at the shoulder.
Cows are smaller, at about 575 to 700 pounds. Below, you’ll find the full Roosevelt elk size breakdown, plus how these elk measure up against moose.
How Big Is a Roosevelt Elk?
Measure
Bull
Cow
Weight
700–1,100 lbs
575–700 lbs
Shoulder height
About 4.5–5.5 ft
About 4–4.5 ft
Body length
About 7.5–9 ft
About 6.5–7.5 ft
Roosevelt Elk Size vs Other Elk Subspecies
Roosevelt elk beat every other elk subspecies for body mass. Rocky Mountain elk bulls usually weigh about 600 to 800 pounds. Tule elk, found in California, are smaller still.
Roosevelt bulls also have a darker coat. The neck is dark brown, almost black, and the body is tan. This makes them easy to spot next to other elk.
Roosevelt Elk Weight
Bull Roosevelt Elk Weight
A mature bull averages about 875 pounds. Many reach 1,000 pounds or more in good habitat.
The National Park Service lists bulls up to about 1,200 pounds in Redwood National and State Parks. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports bulls up to 1,300 pounds. These heavy giants are rare.
Weight also changes with the season. Bulls lose a lot of mass during the fall rut. They eat less and fight more.
Cows weigh about 575 to 700 pounds. They are lean, quick and alert. A cow in prime health sits near the upper end of that range.
Cows keep their weight steadier than bulls. They still lose some in a hard winter.
Roosevelt Elk Calf Size at Birth
Calves are born in late May and June. A newborn weighs about 30 to 40 pounds. Its coat has pale spots that work as camouflage.
Calves stand and nurse within an hour of birth. By fall, they have grown many times their birth weight.
Roosevelt Elk Height and Length
Shoulder Height of a Roosevelt Elk
A bull stands about 4.5 to 5.5 feet at the shoulder. A cow stands about 4 to 4.5 feet.
With the head raised, a bull is much taller. Add the antlers and he can top 7 feet.
Body Length of a Roosevelt Elk
Body length runs from nose to tail. Adults measure roughly 6 to 10 feet, based on sex and age. Bulls sit at the long end.
Their thick neck and deep chest make them look even bigger. Long legs help them move through deep snow and brush.
Roosevelt Elk Size by Region
Elk from the Pacific Northwest rain forests are large because food is rich and the climate is mild. The Olympic Peninsula in Washington holds one of the biggest unmanaged herds. It numbers close to 5,000 animals.
Elk also live in Oregon, northern California and southern British Columbia. In Alaska, elk were moved to Afognak and Raspberry Islands in 1928 and 1929. Some of the biggest bulls on record come from there.
Roosevelt elk carry the largest antlers of any elk. They can reach about 4 feet in length. Many bulls grow a crown tip, a cluster of small points at the end of each beam.
Big antlers can weigh 30 pounds or more. Bulls use them to challenge rivals and to win cows.
Antler Growth Cycle and Size by Age
Bulls shed their antlers in late winter. New antlers grow from April to August. They grow fast and are covered in soft velvet.
Young bulls grow small spikes. Antlers get larger and more branched each year. A bull usually reaches his best antler size in his prime years, around 6 to 10 years old.
A big Roosevelt elk bull weighs about 875 pounds. He stands near 5 feet at the shoulder and runs about 7.5 to 9 feet long.
An Alaska-Yukon moose bull weighs 1,200 to 1,600 pounds. He stands 6 to 7 feet tall and measures 8 to 10 feet long. His long legs and heavy frame tower over the elk. Winner: moose.
Roosevelt Elk vs American Bison
The American bison is the heaviest land animal in North America. A bull weighs about 1,000 to 2,000 pounds. He stands 5.5 to 6 feet at the shoulder and runs 9 to 11 feet long.
The elk is taller in the leg and leaner in the body. The bison is a thick, muscular block. He often weighs twice as much as the elk. Winner: bison.
Roosevelt Elk vs Grizzly Bear
A male grizzly bear weighs about 400 to 800 pounds. On all fours, he stands about 3.5 to 4.5 feet at the shoulder. His body runs 6.5 to 8 feet long. Standing on his hind legs, he can reach 7 to 8 feet.
The bear is a powerful hunter, but the elk is bigger. A Roosevelt bull outweighs most grizzlies and stands taller at the shoulder. Winner on size: Roosevelt elk.
Roosevelt Elk vs White-Tailed Deer
A white-tailed deer buck weighs about 150 to 300 pounds. He stands 3 to 3.5 feet at the shoulder and runs 5 to 6.5 feet long.
The elk is about three to five times heavier. He is also taller and far longer in the body. His antlers can reach 4 feet, while deer’s are much shorter. Winner: Roosevelt elk.
Hi, I’m Natalie Collins, the admin at MooseSizes.com. We simplify animal sizes, measurements, and wildlife comparisons with easy-to-follow guides, useful size charts, and accurate information to help you understand animal dimensions with confidence.
