Why Calf?

Why did those who made an idol to replace Moses make it a calf?  Maybe they didn’t know much about Elephants but surely a tough tiger or eagle was in their sight? Don’t get me wrong our story would have been a whole lot better if everyone kept on their jewelry and this was completely utterly wrong yet I still wonder a “calf”?  Maybe it was more like a raging bull they had in mind but the gold wasn’t enough for the raging part?  Could another religion have had an impact on their image such as Hinduism? The truth is the people should have been patient and had a bit more than faith, especially after all they witnessed.  Maybe that’s my conclusion I’ll patiently wait for an answer to this question from a higher authority or maybe you?