The elk is one of the largest land mammals in Northern America (after the moose) and East Asia. They are highly adaptable and do well when they are introduced into new areas such as Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. In Asia, the elk is sought after for its antlers and velvet (a very soft, vascularized skin that covers the antlers until maturity) for use in traditional medicine. The elk is also hunted as game. Its meat is leaner and higher in protein that beef or chicken. Only the males have antlers which they grow and shed each year. The antlers grow almost an inch per day and weigh up to 40 pounds when fully grown.