Grandfather Elks (Alces alces vetustus) are a subspecies of deer and elk that are more of a transformational variation of typical male elks than anything else. The Grandfather Elk carrys a rare X-chromosomal mutation that exhibits itself after puberty. When transformed, the other elks in the herd follow the Grandfather Elk as their natural leader and, if the Grandfather Elk should die, another male elk of the herd will undergo the transformation into a new Grandfather.