Rival Male Elk Rut for Supremacy | Yellowstone | BBC Earth

Summary

Over six weeks, male elk have been battling for dominance and mating rights, enduring exhaustion and near-starvation. A bull elk, having secured his harem, faces a rival in a fierce antler clash, where power and precision determine the victor. The defeated must wait until next season to try again, while the winner's lineage will continue in the spring. As winter approaches, the elk must choose between the harsh Yellowstone conditions or the unknown beyond, highlighting the relentless struggle for survival.

Takeaways

• 🦌 Male elk have been competing for dominance for six weeks, focusing on strutting and herding.
• 🌾 During this period, the male elk have barely eaten, resulting in exhaustion.
• 🏆 The bull elk has managed to keep his harem, but now faces the challenge of mating season.
• 🔄 Females are being distracted by another male, which could jeopardize the bull's mating efforts.
• 🛡️ Dominance is crucial for a bull to mate, as he must overcome all rivals to access the females.
• 🎯 The bull's strategy is to use antler points to gain an advantage in combat.
• 🤼‍♂️ The combat is evenly matched, with neither bull able to break through the other's defense.
• 💪 It's a battle of power, where a well-aimed thrust or a broken neck could be fatal.
• 🎉 The challenger is fortunate to escape with only a minor injury, while the victor returns to his females.
• 🌱 The victor's offspring are expected to be born in the next spring.
• 🏔️ The defeated bull faces a difficult future, having to wait until the next autumn to try again, if he survives the harsh Yellowstone winter.
• 🌨️ October marks the onset of winter, and the elk must decide whether to stay and face the snow and wolves or to leave in search of a better life with unknown risks.

Q & A

What is the main challenge male elk face during the last 6 weeks of the strutting season?

The main challenge male elk face during the last 6 weeks of the strutting season is exhaustion from almost no food intake while trying to maintain dominance over a harem of females.

Why is it crucial for a bull elk to dominate all rivals during the mating season?

It is crucial for a bull elk to dominate all rivals to ensure access to females for mating, as without dominance, all his efforts to maintain a harem would be in vain.

What is the bull elk's strategy when facing a challenger for his harem?

The bull elk's strategy is to use his antlers to aim for a point into the challenger's neck, attempting to overpower him with strength and precision.

What is the outcome if neither bull can penetrate the other's guard during a confrontation?

If neither bull can penetrate the other's guard, the confrontation becomes a test of endurance and power, with the outcome potentially being a well-aimed thrust or a broken neck that could be fatal.

What happens to the challenger elk if he is unable to defeat the dominant bull?

If the challenger elk is unable to defeat the dominant bull, he is likely to suffer injuries, such as a parting stab in the rump, and must retreat.

What does the victorious bull elk gain after defeating a challenger?

The victorious bull elk regains control over his females and ensures that his genes will be passed on, as his offspring will be born the following spring.

What are the prospects for a defeated bull elk after the mating season?

The prospects for a defeated bull elk are not good; he will have to wait until the next autumn to try his luck again, and there is no guarantee he will survive the harsh Yellowstone winter.

Why is October a critical time for elk in Yellowstone?

October is critical for elk in Yellowstone because it marks the onset of winter, which brings challenges such as snow and the threat of wolves, forcing the elk to make a decision about whether to stay or leave the park.

What decision do elk face as winter approaches in Yellowstone?

Elk face the decision to either stay in Yellowstone and face the certainty of snow and wolves or to leave the park in search of an easier life with the uncertainty of the world beyond.

What is the potential consequence for elk that choose to stay in Yellowstone during winter?

The potential consequence for elk that choose to stay in Yellowstone during winter is facing harsh weather conditions, including snow, and increased vulnerability to predation by wolves.

What is the significance of the elk's struggle in the context of the Yellowstone ecosystem?

The elk's struggle is significant as it represents the natural cycle of life, survival, and adaptation within the Yellowstone ecosystem, highlighting the balance between predator and prey dynamics.