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Wapiti

Cervus canadensis

Mammal · family Cervidae · order Artiodactyla

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
24 states[3]
Typical length
117 in[4]

The wapiti, also called elk or red deer, is a mammal in the deer family (Cervidae)[5][6]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act and NatureServe rates it Apparently Secure worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the wapiti G4 (Apparently Secure) worldwide and N4 (Apparently Secure) in the United States[2][7]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[8]. The wapiti is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. NatureServe estimates more than 1,000,000 adults and says the population is stable, with growth in some places where animals were brought back[9][10].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[7] N4 (Apparently Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[8] Least concern
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Wapiti lives

NatureServe lists the wapiti as native in 24 US states and territories, mostly in the West and upper Midwest, including Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming[3]. It also lists some eastern and southern states, such as Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia[3]. NatureServe ranks the wapiti as extirpated or possibly extirpated, meaning gone from the state, in places including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia and Virginia[11]. A state list shows where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see one there[3].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMEWisconsin: native, state rank S1WIVermont: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXVTNew Hampshire: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXNHWashington: native, state rank S5WAIdaho: native, state rank S5IDMontana: native, state rank S5MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SUNDMinnesota: native, state rank S3MNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXILMichigan: native, state rank S3MINew York: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXNYMassachusetts: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: native, state rank S5NVWyoming: native, state rank S5WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5SDIowa: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXIAIndiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXINOhio: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXOHPennsylvania: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S4UTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRMOKentucky: native, state rank SNRKYWest Virginia: native, state rank SUWVVirginia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXVAMaryland: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMDDelaware: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXDEArizona: native, state rank SNAAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S3NMKansas: native, state rank S2KSArkansas: native, state rank S3ARTennessee: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S1NCSouth Carolina: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHSCDistrict of Columbia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXDCOklahoma: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXOKLouisiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXALGeorgia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S2TXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (44 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSXPresumed Extirpated
ArizonaSNANot Applicable
ArkansasS3Vulnerable
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5Secure
DelawareSXPresumed Extirpated
District of ColumbiaSXPresumed Extirpated
GeorgiaSXPresumed Extirpated
IdahoS5Secure
IllinoisSXPresumed Extirpated
IndianaSXPresumed Extirpated
IowaSXPresumed Extirpated
KansasS2Imperiled
KentuckySNRNot Ranked
LouisianaSXPresumed Extirpated
MaineSXPresumed Extirpated
MarylandSXPresumed Extirpated
MassachusettsSXPresumed Extirpated
MichiganS3Vulnerable
MinnesotaS3Vulnerable
MissouriSNRNot Ranked
MontanaS5Secure
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
NevadaS5Secure
New HampshireSXPresumed Extirpated
New MexicoS3Vulnerable
New YorkSXPresumed Extirpated
North CarolinaS1Critically Imperiled
North DakotaSUUnrankable
OhioSXPresumed Extirpated
OklahomaSXPresumed Extirpated
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaSXPresumed Extirpated
South CarolinaSHPossibly Extirpated
South DakotaS5Secure
TennesseeSXPresumed Extirpated
TexasS2Imperiled
UtahS4Apparently Secure
VermontSXPresumed Extirpated
VirginiaSXPresumed Extirpated
WashingtonS5Secure
West VirginiaSUUnrankable
WisconsinS1Critically Imperiled
WyomingS5Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for the wapiti, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, shrubland, savanna, grassland and alpine areas[13]. Habitat varies by location[14]. The animals use open ground such as mountain meadows and river flats, and also conifer forest, forest edges and brushy cleared areas[14]. Calves are born in valleys and also high up, and newborns may be hidden in rough ground or thick cover[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size and diet

The wapiti is a herbivore, which means it eats plants[15]. It mostly grazes on grass, but it also eats forbs, which are leafy non-woody plants, and may browse on willow, aspen and oak when grass is scarce[16]. It also often eats mushrooms in late summer and fall[16]. NatureServe gives a typical length of 297 cm (117 in) and a typical adult weight of 495 kg (1091 lb)[4][17]. Females breed at 2 years, and pregnancy lasts 249 to 262 days[18]. Most births come in late spring and are single calves, though twins are common[18].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 297 cm (117 in)
Typical adult weight[17] 495 kg (1091 lb)
Food habits[15] Herbivore
Migration[19] local migrant

When to look for it

The wapiti is active at night but is busiest at dusk and dawn[20]. The wapiti feeds in daylight more often in summer, and winter feeding periods last longer[20]. NatureServe calls it a local migrant, and populations can differ[19]. In mountains, herds spend summer in high meadows and winter in valleys, and they move away from deep snow[21]. Pacific coast herds move less than herds elsewhere[21]. The breeding season, called the rut, runs September to October[18]. GBIF observation records peak in June, July and August, which shows when people look and report, not how many animals there are[22].

January: 1,694 recordsJanFebruary: 1,637 recordsFebMarch: 2,313 recordsMarApril: 2,578 recordsAprMay: 3,696 recordsMayJune: 4,939 recordsJunJuly: 5,079 recordsJulAugust: 4,249 recordsAugSeptember: 4,104 recordsSepOctober: 2,978 recordsOctNovember: 1,955 recordsNovDecember: 1,638 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[22].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January1,694
February1,637
March2,313
April2,578
May3,696
June4,939
July5,079
August4,249
September4,104
October2,978
November1,955
December1,638

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Wapiti as present in 16 park units[23]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, New Mexico[24]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Safety around this animal

These tips are quoted in summary from official agencies. We add no advice of our own. Follow local rules and the agency pages linked below.

From National Park Service (Yellowstone)

  • In Yellowstone, the National Park Service asks visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 m) from large animals such as bison and elk.
  • If the animal moves closer, back away. Approaching wildlife close enough to disturb or displace it is illegal in the park.
  • Never feed wildlife. Use binoculars or a long camera lens instead of moving closer.

Source: National Park Service (Yellowstone)[25]

Questions people ask

Is the wapiti endangered?
It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G4, Apparently Secure, worldwide[2].
Where does the wapiti live in the United States?
NatureServe lists it as native in 24 US states and territories, including Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming[3]. GBIF records are most numerous in California, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon and New Mexico, which follows where people report sightings[24].
What does the wapiti eat?
It is a herbivore that mostly grazes on grass[15][16]. It also eats forbs, may browse on willow, aspen and oak, and often eats mushrooms in late summer and fall[16].
How big is a wapiti?
NatureServe gives a typical length of 297 cm (117 in) and a typical adult weight of 495 kg (1091 lb)[4][17].
Is a wapiti the same as an elk?
Yes. NatureServe lists elk and red deer as other English names for the wapiti[6].

Facts and sources

  1. Wapiti is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Wapiti: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Wapiti as native in 24 US states and territories: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 297 cm (117 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. Wapiti (Cervus canadensis) is a mammal in the family Cervidae, order Artiodactyla. NatureServe Explorer
  6. Other English names listed by NatureServe for Wapiti: Elk, Red Deer. NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  8. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on trend for Wapiti. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Wapiti as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Alabama, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,... NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Wapiti (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Wapiti: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Alpine. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Wapiti. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Herbivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe notes on food for Wapiti. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 495 kg (1091 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Wapiti. NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe migration category for Wapiti: local migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  20. NatureServe notes on phenology for Wapiti. NatureServe Explorer
  21. NatureServe notes on migration for Wapiti. NatureServe Explorer
  22. GBIF observation records of Wapiti in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  23. NPSpecies park lists recording Wapiti as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  24. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Wapiti: California, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, New Mexico. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  25. Safety guidance from National Park Service (Yellowstone). National Park Service

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.