Editing Ivory (section)

==== Elk Ivory ====
The ancestors of elk had teeth, also known as elk ivory, that protruded outwards, similar to animals that have tusks. These served as protection from predators, and for asserting dominance during the mating season. These elk once had much smaller antlers compared to the size of modern day species’ antlers. Elk antlers evolved to become bigger and the use of their tusks diminished as antlers grew, thus evolving towards a smaller size over time, making them nothing more than teeth in their mouths.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 5 Fascinating Facts About Elk You Probably Didn't Know |url=https://www.beckandbulow.com/blogs/elk-meat/facts-about-elk |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=Beck & Bulow |language=en}}</ref>

These teeth have the same chemical compound as the ivory found in the highly used and poached elephant tusks,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ten Things That Might Surprise You About Elk |url=https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/ten-things-that-might-surprise-your-about-elk |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=www.nationalforests.org |language=en}}</ref> making it another good alternative when it comes to taking ivory as the teeth can be possibly removed without harming the elk themselves.

Among [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] and [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] in elk range, primarily within the [[Great Plains]], [[Rocky Mountains]], and [[Pacific Northwest]], elk teeth has major significance when it comes to jewelry. Among women, men wore them as well. Either through bracelets, earrings, and chokers, there was deeper meaning for both men and women within the tribes. For the women, it was believed that it would bring in good luck and good health. As for the men, it was seen that they were a good hunter.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Horowitz |first=Ellen |date=September–October 2012 |title=Rocky Mountain Ivory |url=https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/montana-outdoors/2012/ivories.pdf |magazine=Montana Outdoors |pages=16–19}}</ref>