Deer, Elk, and Moose: What's the difference?

The problem with common names for animals is that the names change from country to country. We see this clearly when it comes down to some of the larger hoofed mammals. In different parts of the world, an elk, a deer, and a moose are not the same animals. This makes it very difficult to talk about these animals with common names. So let's clear some things up and break down what each animal is and what their various common names are.

What's in a Name?

One of the most important things I learned while studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is that taxonomic names are vital for differentiating between organisms. 

Many common names for animals can give people trouble. Often, common names are misleading, such as those of the flying lemur or naked mole rat. Common names can also confuse people and result in misunderstandings. The three main species I will be referring to in this post are Cervus canadensis, Cervus elaphus, and Alces alces. 

Cervus canadensis is called an 'elk' in North America. It is also sometimes referred to as a 'wapiti' in North America and Asia. There are about a dozen subspecies of Cervus canadensis within its distribution.

Cervus elaphus is called a 'red deer' in North America, although it does not live in North America. In some areas of its habitat, it may be referred to simply as a 'deer.' There are about a dozen subspecies of Cervus elaphus within its distribution and all may be called by different common names depending on the country.

Alces alces is called a 'moose' in North America. However, in Europe it is often referred to as an 'elk.' There are eight distinct subspecies of Alces alces.

Below are some reference pictures for the animals in question.

In the Family

Technically, you could call all of the aforementioned mammals 'deer' because they all belong to the Cervidae family. They are all related to each other, some more distantly than others.

These family relations are most confusing when it comes to the difference between the American elk and the red deer. For a long time, scientists believed them to be the same species that formed one continuous distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Recently, the general consensus within the scientific community is that they are in fact distinct species. They look different, they make different calls, and they behave differently from one another. It's clear that they evolved from a common ancestor but they have since diverged. 

Check out these videos on YouTube to listen to the differences in red deer calls and elk bugles.

Location Location Location

The bottom line is that it depends on where you are as to what you call these beautiful creatures. It also depends on where you are as to what animals are around you. Although common names can be confusing, the taxonomic names are there for anyone to learn and use.