302 - THE OLD-WORLD ELK 



calves. Other zoologists state that the maximum 

 attainable life of most mammals is seven times the 

 time required to reach maturity, not seven times 

 the period spent in attaining full growth. Moose 

 are believed to be capable of reproduction when 2}4 

 years old, though not fully grown, and hence the 

 zoologist would consider them mature at that age. 

 Under this formula, therefore, their limit of life 

 would be less than 20 years. 



The rutting season of the elk is generally some- 

 what earlier than in the case of the moose. In 

 East Prussia and the Baltic provinces of Russia 

 it begins late in August and continues until the 

 last of September. In Scandinavia and Asiatic 

 Russia, however, it begins about the middle of 

 September and continues until the middle of 

 October. Antlers are shed much earlier too in 

 western Russia. Bulls in their prime drop their 

 antlers in November on the east shore of the Baltic, 

 while in the rest of the elk territory of Europe and 

 Asia they carry them a month or more later. 



In the Baltic provinces elk are found in larger 

 herds than is usual with the moose. Often fifteen, 

 or even more, are found together, and in the 

 rutting season they recognize the leadership of a 

 strong bull, especially if he is armed with formidable 

 antlers, and shows a disposition to use them to 



