what's the difference between a moose and an elk?

Answer 1

Alces alces, called the moose in North America and the elk in Europe (see also elk for other animals called elk) is the largest member of the deer family Cervidae, distinguished from other members of Cervidae by the form of the palmate antlers of its males. The name moose is from mus or mooz (‘twig eater’) in several of the Algonquian languages, spoken by certain indigenous peoples of the Americas

and

Elk may refer to a number of species of large deer:
* The name originates with Alces alces, the largest extant deer species, called elk in Europe and moose in North America.
* In North America it refers to Cervus elaphus, which is called a red deer in Europe, and a maral in Asia. The various North American subspecies are also called wapiti.
* In India it was used to refer to Cervus unicolor, commonly known as the sambar.
* The word is also used to indicate Megaloceros, the extinct giant deer or Irish elk.

You could get more information from the 2 links below...

Answer 2

Alces alces is known as a "moose" in North America and an "elk" in parts of Europe. Cervus canadensis is usually known as an "elk" (sometimes a "wapiti") and is only found in North America. There is a close relative of C. candensis, C. elaphus that is found in Europe and known as a red deer. So your Swedish friends were right. Moose are known as elk there, but they are completely different from the animal the Americans know as elk. It's like the term buzzard. Americans tend to use the term for vultures, but Europeans call the birds Americans know as hawks, buzzards.

Answer 3

Moose are found throughout northern North America and Eurasia. Their range coincides with that of circumpolar boreal forests. In North America they occur throughout Alaska, Canada, the northeastern United States and as far south as the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. In Eurasia they are found throughout northern Europe and eastwards through Siberia and Mongolia. They are generally found near streams or ponds where there are willows.

Moose (called “Elk” in Europe) live in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are the largest animals in the Deer family, standing 67-90 inches (170-230 cm) at the shoulder and weighing 900-1800 pounds (400-800 Kg). They inhabit cold, wet regions, foraging in swamps when such wetlands aren’t frozen.

Answer 4

Alces alces, called the moose in North America and the elk in Europe is the largest member of the deer family Cervidae, distinguished from other members of Cervidae by the form of the palmate antlers of its males. The name moose is from mus or mooz (‘twig eater’) in several of the Algonquian languages, spoken by certain indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Answer 5

An elk is a large deer, whilst a moose is an ugly woman

Answer 6

One can be confused with a light, fluffy milk based dessert. The other one cannot!

Actuallly, no difference at all.The species 'alces alces' as known as an Elk in Europe and a Moose in North America.

Answer 7

If my memory hasnt failed me then i recall hearing that an elk is a big male deer or something or other and a moose ... isnt a deer =]

Answer 8

WELL, down at the lodge....... the difference is that the moose ride motorcycles in the parade and the elk ride go-carts in the parade.

Answer 9

True story - my brother-in-law was ringing Directory Enquiries for the phone number of a camp site in a place called Elkesley. The operator obviously hadn't heard of this before and asked him to repeat it.

His reply was "Elkesley. You know, Elk, as in bird!"

So there's your answer - an Elk is obviously a bird!

Answer 10

There are many differences. The elk is just a big deer, from Genus Cervus. The Moose is a totally different animal, from genus Alces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervus_elaphus