British Columbia CORE Hunting Practice Exam

Which is a notable feature of the elk’s appearance?

1. Short, stiff tail

2. Distinctive cream color rump

3. Large, branched antlers

4. White stripes along the flank

The correct answer is: Distinctive cream color rump

The distinctive cream color of the elk's rump is a notable feature. This characteristic can be visually striking, especially when an elk is in a natural habitat among darker foliage. The light color of the rump serves as a form of masking and can be helpful in signaling anxieties among herds when one elk becomes alarmed, as the visibility of the cream patch can catch the attention of others. This feature is particularly useful during encounters with potential predators, as it can alert other members of the herd to danger. While the other options describe physical traits that may apply to some other animals, they do not specifically highlight a key characteristic of the elk. The elk's antlers, for instance, are large and branched, but this is more about their male counterparts during the rutting season, making this trait less pronounced than the unique coloration of the hindquarters. The short, stiff tail is more commonly a feature of species adapted for different environments rather than a distinct marker for elk. Similarly, white stripes along the flank are not a recognized feature of elk, which makes the cream-colored rump a more definitive and visual identification mark.