Hmmm. I thought maybe you meant Red Deer were Reindeer. I know them as Caribou, but in Europe, they call them White Deer. Confusing! 😕 I guess we need to remember what continent we're on.

Wait... North American ELK are know in Europe as Red Deer and a North American Moose in Europe is known as an Elk? Anyone understand the etymology behind this?

They are 2 distinct species, but the naming happened before that was determined. They are very similar.

Apparently they're both the same species Alces alces

Yes the names would predate the science but I think I might have thought a moose more like a horse if I wasn't a terribly sophisticated observer (you know, the kind that is taught things in school and doesn't really question it)