|
Fun Facts About Elk
An elk belongs to the deer family known as cervidae.
Another name for an elk is "Wapiti".
"Wapiti" is the Indian name given to elk by the Shawnee Indians which means "white rump."
There are many other members of the deer family - moose, caribou, red deer and white-tailed deer. All of these species have the common trait of an even number of toes.
Elk males are called bulls and weigh as much as 1000 lbs.
Elk females are called cows and weigh an average of 500 lbs.
Elk babies are called calves - bull (male) or heifer (female) calves.
Elk Antlers:
Only bulls grow antlers.
Bulls grow a new set of antlers each year.
In March, new antlers begin to grow. The new antlers push the old antlers off.
As the antler grows it is covered with a soft hair called velvet.
Antlers can grow from 1 to 1½ inches each day.
In just 90 to 120 days the bulls can grow an entire set of antlers.
When the antlers stop growing, the bulls will rub off the velvet exposing the hard antler.
Antlers are shed every year in the spring.
About Elk Bulls:
In the summer and spring bulls are calm and solitary, and usually not aggressive.
In the fall bulls enter the breeding season called the "rut".
During "rut" the bulls become very aggressive.
When a bull is in "rut" it makes a sound called a "bugle".
Bulls begin growing antlers the very first year.
A bull that is only one year old is called a "spiker".
About Elk Cows:
A heifer calf can breed at 18 months of age.
Cows will breed up to 15-20 years of age.
Cows pregnancy will last about 250 days.
Cows will have one calf each year. Twins are extremely rare.
During the first days a mother will feed her newborn every 2 hours.
Cows are extremely protective of their young.
Cows isolate their calves from the herd for the first few days.
Cows call their calves with a chirping sound.
The most dominant cow among all of the cows is the "Lead" cow.
About Elk Calves:
Calves are usually born between May 15th and June 15th.
Twins are extremely rare.
Calves are born with white spots and tan rump.
Calves weigh approximately 35 lbs. at birth.
Calves will nurse from their mother for the first 9 months or so.
In the first year of life a calf can gain over 350 lbs.
The Amazing Value of Velvet Antler!
What exactly is Velvet Antler?
The term velvet antler refers to the whole antler as it is humanely harvested from male elk at a particular stage of growth - prior to the onset of hardening and calcification. In the velvet stage, the antler is soft and furry. When harvested in this form, velvet antler is processed through traditional cooking and drying techniques learned from the masters in Korea, China, and Russia. In the Orient, processed antler is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of the oldest recorded health systems known, as an ingredient used to promote health and wellness.
Elk are well known for their annual growth and display of antler. Antlers are recognized as major features of individual superiority in the wild. In elk farming, antler is also seen as an animal resource of medicinal importance.
What is velvet antler used for?
Velvet antler can boost hormonal activity, increase oxygen uptake to the brain, liver, and kidneys. It can decrease the rate of muscle fatigue, and promote muscular growth. However, it should not be used, or should be used cautiously, in people with prostrate problems, heart conditions and lupus.
Research has been conducted in several areas:
- Hormonal: Velvet antler has been shown to boost testosterone and estrogen levels.
- Blood Building: Velvet antler has been shown to increase production of red blood cells (to a higher degree) and white blood cells (to a lower degree) in tests.
- Stress Protection: Velvet antler helps the body maintain homeostasis against heat, cold and electric shock.
- Stimulates Growth: Velvet antler is an extremely rich, fast growing tissue that contains many growth factors. Elk can grow up to 50 pounds of new bone in approximately two months. Due to its fast rate of growth, antler is being looked at as a model for studies on osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, healing fractures and as a model for cancer studies.
- Aging Retardation: Recent studies in Japan show that velvet reduced signs normally associated with senility; possibly due to its hormonal effects.
- Reduction of Blood Pressure: Blood pressure reduction is due to velvet antler's ability to increase dilation of the peripheral blood vessels.
- Reduction From Traumatic Injury: Velvet antler is high in calcium and phosphates which aid in the healing of bones. Research has shown that velvet helps to heal neural tissue (nerve) tissue.
Nutritional Support Benefits for Arthritis Sufferers:
Many of the nutrients found in velvet antler are important for arthritis sufferers. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, collagen, essential fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, growth hormones, and growth factors are all vital for growth and maintenance of joints, tissues and synovial fluids. In 1999, velvet antler was scientifically substantiated by research and clinical studies in compliance with FDA regulations to prove that "velvet antler provides nutritional support for joint structure and function" in people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Other Benefits:
Active ingredients found in velvet antler are numerous. They include a variety of minerals, trace elements, protein, fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans, growth hormones, and growth factors. These ingredients and their use in the human body are many and varied. Though investigation has only just begun in North America, the list of ailments treated with velvet antler in ancient times is quite lengthy. Some of the most important uses were for treatment of wounds, pain, arthritis, inflammation, stress, miscarriage prevention, and to slow the aging process.
Ongoing Research:
Velvet Antler has been used for centuries in the Orient. According to the Oriental Medical Theory it builds the kidneys, which are the storehouse for the body's deepest and most basic energies. These energies control growth, reproductive functioning, the skeletal system and aspects of circulation and concentration.
There is growing awareness of the benefits of velvet antler for use as a nutritional supplement in North America. More people are becoming convinced of it's significant effects in promoting well-being and relief for conditions affecting aging, circulation, and some pain symptoms, particularly arthritis.
Contact Us | Site Map
|
|
|
|
|
